Steve Borthwick: England must quickly adjust from Prem to Test rugby for Nations Championship

01.11.2026, 19:24 skysports.com

Steve Borthwick admits England need to bridge the gap between the Prem and Test rugby quickly if they’re to have a successful autumn campaign.

Australia's visit to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday marks the start of the second phase of the inaugural Nations Championship. Borthwick knows England will need to raise their standards at the breakdown and in defence if they are to compete successfully.

While the Prem's focus on attack has created some thrilling spectacles, it is inadequate preparation for the battles to come against the Wallabies, Japan and New Zealand.

The only round of Champions Cup action so far this season exposed English clubs to a different level of competition in defence and at the breakdown, as they managed just one win from eight matches.

Referee Christophe Ridley provided assistance in training at last week's camp and also gave presentations to the squad in a bid to accelerate their readiness to take on Australia.

"The contact area in the Prem is different to Test rugby," Borthwick said. "That was exemplified in Europe where the English clubs lost more ball and won back less ball at the breakdown than any other nation.

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"The other area is the emphasis and importance placed upon defence. We need to ensure that we make it very, very difficult for the opposition to score.

"One of the challenges is that we are refereed domestically by English referees when internationally, quite clearly, we will never have the English referees, so you need to get used to other interpretations.

"Having that European round pleased me because clearly players needed to be able to adjust. The best players are smart and the best players adjust.

"And I think it's pretty obvious that over the last six to eight months, we haven't adjusted and dealt with moments in the way we want to."

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England have amassed 15 yellow cards in their eight Tests so far this year, including four in their most recent outing against Argentina in July. Borthwick believes going on the attack provides the solution to the indiscipline.

"Frankly, we spend too much time defending," he said. "The way the interpretations are right now, as soon as you spend time defending there is likely to be a decision that goes against you.

"There has been an exponential increase in cards given - and not just by us. The vast majority of them are given when defending in your own 22."

England are facing mounting problems at half-back ahead of Monday's squad announcement after Alex Mitchell followed Fin Smith and Archie McParland into the treatment room.

Mitchell has joined his Northampton team-mates in becoming a doubt against Australia after sustaining a hamstring injury in Saturday's 28-14 victory over Gloucester.

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Friday November 6Ireland vs Argentina (8.10pm)

Saturday November 7Italy vs South Africa (11.40am)Scotland vs New Zealand (2.10pm)Wales vs Japan (4.40pm)France vs Fiji (8.10pm)

Sunday November 8England vs Australia (3.10pm)

Friday November 13France vs South Africa (8.10pm)

Saturday November 14Italy vs Argentina (11.40am)Wales vs New Zealand (2.10pm)England vs Japan (4.40pm)Ireland vs Fiji (8.10pm)

Sunday November 15Scotland vs Australia (3.10pm)

Saturday November 21England vs New Zealand (2.10pm)Scotland vs Japan (2.10pm)Ireland vs South Africa (4.40pm)Italy vs Fiji (4.40pm)France vs Argentina (8.10pm)Wales vs Australia (8.10pm)

Finals Weekend (Twickenham)

November 27Sixth-place North vs Sixth-place South, Third-place North vs Third-place South

November 28Fifth-place North vs Fifth-place South, Second-place North vs Second-place South

November 29Fourth-place North vs Fourth-place South, First-place North vs First-place South

July 4New Zealand 34-32 FranceJapan 27-10 ItalySouth Africa 45-21 EnglandAustralia 31-33 IrelandFiji 24-39 WalesArgentina 38-47 Scotland

July 11New Zealand 47-17 ItalyJapan 20-36 IrelandSouth Africa 42-28 ScotlandAustralia 26-42 FranceFiji 8-73 EnglandArgentina 35-21 Wales

July 18Japan 15-42 FranceAustralia 57-10 ItalySouth Africa 43-0 WalesNew Zealand 40-21 IrelandFiji 17-33 ScotlandArgentina 24-31 England