England bid to put down World Cup marker

Steve Borthwick's side are showing signs of real progress-now can they make a statement this autumn?

- By Simon Collings

It was only a year ago that dark clouds were forming over Twickenham and the pressure was on England to deliver. Steve Borthwick's side went into the Autumn Nations Series having won just four of their previous eight Tests and it felt like the knives were sharpening. What a difference 12 months makes. Fast forward to now and the mood music has completely changed. England host Australia this weekend with a spring in their step as they look to make it eight wins on the bounce.

After that, Borthwick's men face Fiji before playing New Zealand and then Argentina.

There is a genuine belief England could achieve a clean sweep, something they have managed just once when playing four matches in an autumn programme.

"You look at this group of players, and I think there is a lot of exciting talent," said Borthwick. "I think there is a lot of speed and dynamism.

"You start looking at those outside backs and I think we have a depth of talent there. You look at the back row and the dynamism we have there, the talented rugby players we have there. And then we have got some great halfbacks.

"When you start picking a team and you're picking good players, you're leaving good players out as well.

"There's a lot of depth developing across many positions, which gives me the kind of problems you really want to have as a head coach."

Attacking style

Much of the excitement around this England team comes from the sense that they have an attack that is ready to entertain.

During their seven-match winning streak, Borthwick's side have racked up more than 250 points - an average of 36 per game. England have, at times, had a revolving door of backroom staff under Borthwick, but things now appear more settled.