Join the Miguel Delaney team: Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football NewsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney inside Football newsletterEngland launched their autumn campaign with a comprehensive 25-7 victory over Australia at Allianz Stadium that extended their winning run to eight successive Tests.Here, the PA news agency looks at five things learned from an encouraging afternoon for Steve Borthwick’s men.Borthwick’s bomb squad detonatesSouth Africa’s ‘bomb squad’ The strategy of loading up the bench with forwards, then unleashing them in mass proved crucial for England. They brought on five British & Irish Lions to overwhelm Australia with 30 minutes left. It worked, with the extra weight in the front row turning the tide at an important stage of play and bringing experienced veterans such as Tom Curry Luke Cowan Dickie and Ellis Genge into the fray. Expect head coach Steve Borthwick to revisit a tactic that has been made possible by the squad’s growing depth.Pollock steals the showHenry Pollock was among the five Lions to enter the fray and he proved once again why he is box office. The rising star in English rugby with his new peroxide haircut is savvy to the cameras but equally adept at spotting opportunities on the playing field. His pivotal try, scored in the 59th minute, underlines his timing and skill. At that point it was his third touch down in only 36 minutes as a Test player – some record for a 20-year-old who is intent on proving his stellar debut season is just the beginning. His entrance brought energy and unpredictability to England’s game, making him a valuable asset as the countdown to the 2027 World Cup continues.More spark neededEngland created four tries in their first victory over one of the southern hemisphere big three since 2022, yet even allowing for the damp conditions their attack never truly fired. Too many chances went unfinished, two of their tries came as a result of box kicks that capitalised on Tom Roebuck’s strength in the air and one was supplied by a powerful maul. Kicking has become a key offensive weapon for every team but there was also a lack of intent to move the ball that meant the likes of wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – who was electric on the few occasions he was let off the leash – was underused. Lee Blackett, England’s highly-rated attack coach who has just taken on the job full-time, will be aiming for greater variety in the rest of the autumn.Freeman’s learning curveThe jury remains out on Tommy Freeman’s conversion from wing to outside centre. His finishing instincts were a hindrance at times in his second Test as the number 13, when he chose to spread the ball rather than back himself. Against Australia the free-scoring Northampton star looked what he is – a wing playing in midfield – and as one of the most dangerous players to have emerged from these shores in recent times, it is essential that England fully capitalise o his skills. He was not tested defensively by a side that lacked ideas, and there will be more difficult tests this fall. Four wins in a row in the Six Nations following a loss to Ireland in their opener, and a summer tour of Argentina and the USA has generated momentum. This will be tested when New Zealand arrives at Twickenham in November. Australia 2027 has a lot to look forward to. A strong pack, a solid defence, a genuine depth, and an abundance of X-factor.
2025-11-02 09:43:22
Strength in depth key for England: What we learned from win over Australia
