Optimism is often manufactured at the start of a campaign. Everyone goes in believing they can win every game, but there is a mood of true optimism around England before the autumn series. Considering they have won their past seven matches, had their best finish to a Six Nations for five years and then won a summer series in Argentina, I think it’s fair to have confidence. Argentina beat the British & Irish Lions and England won there despite having 13 players away in Australia, plus one of the coaches.
The number of Prem players excelling and the level in that competition also makes me excited for what England can achieve in November, starting with Australia on Saturday. Steve Borthwick is growing into the head coach job and is more confident in what he’s doing: turbulence may not be the right word for the early days of his tenure but I think people expected more. As fans we want immediate results, but coaches tend to have a “helicopter” view and understand the direction of travel.
