I told you we were going in right direction, says England's Borthwick

LONDON :England finished last year's Autumn series with a win over Japan to end a run of five defeats, with coach Steve Borthwick promising the good times were just around the corner, and a year on it seems he knew what he was talking about.

They began 2025 with defeat by Ireland, but have since gone on impressive 11-match winning run that, ahead of next month's 2027 World Cup draw, has lifted them to third in the rankings behind New Zealand and runaway leaders South Africa.

Sunday's 27-23 victory over Argentina completed a clean sweep of four Autumn Internationals for the first time since 2016 - Eddie Jones's first year in charge.

It was probably the least impressive of the four, however, after beating Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, but the fact they held off a late Puma fightback was indicative of the team's development.

"I'm pleased with the results, pleased with many aspects of the performance... we found a way to win," Borthwick said after Sunday's game, in which England raced to a 17-0 lead but finished defending a lineout on their own five-metre line with the clock in the red.

"I think we've seen growth in some areas. I think there's plenty of things to work upon as well. As I said at the time (a year ago), sometimes you've got to go through some tight losses to understand how to actually convert into wins with a young side. That's what the team's doing.

"The depth is building as is the number of games these guys are playing together and the experience level is also increasing."

BORTHWICK HAS OPTIONS

Borthwick has done a terrific job in getting a wide selection of players on the pitch over the last two years and now does have real choices in a number of key positions.

Even the midfield - a perennial issue for England