Far-reaching implications, pivotal decisions, an expectant nation. But let’s not dwell on Rachel Reeves’s mega budget and instead examine the intricacies of Steve Borthwick’s first autumnal England team selection. A smart mix of choices for future growth? Or just a hint of belt-tightening in preparation for a potentially bruising few weeks?
The truth, as so often in politics, would appear to lie somewhere in between. In one or two areas Borthwick has had to channel his inner chancellor of the exchequer and make some tough calls. Sam Underhill has had some special days against New Zealand in the past and yet now finds himself unable to make the matchday 23. Fin Smith is supposed to be the coming man at fly-half but is suddenly nowhere to be seen.
On the other hand, however, shares in the Sale triumvirate of the Curry twins and George Ford have just soared significantly. Bath’s scrum-half Ben Spencer, in the absence of the injured Alex Mitchell, is probably the big winner, having spent the past six years waiting for the oval‑ball equivalent of Godot. A 6-2 bench also offers a clear clue to England’s priorities: Borthwick wants his side to keep coming hard for the full 80 minutes, regardless of what New Zealand have in store.
Bringing forward by 48 hours the team announcement felt partly designed to send the same proactive message. We don’t care what you’ve got, this is us. That said, the All Blacks would not be overly surprised by a team sheet containing just four starting changes from the side they faced in Auckland in July. The fit-again Ellis Genge and George Furbank are back in for Fin Baxter and Freddie Steward respectively, the in-form Spencer steps up for the absent Mitchell and Tom Curry ousts Underhill. Given the number of players on Borthwick’s radar, that is a decent level of continuity.
The more forward-centric bench, though, is another story. England have been losing out in tight games and Borthwick admits freely that he is looking to ensure his side offers slightly more in the latter stages of intense matches. In this instance he has Ford’s experience, Harry Randall’s extra zip, Alex Dombrandt’s telepathic understanding with Marcus Smith (assuming both are on the pitch simultaneously) and Ben Curry’s energy, all of which should theoretically help. Ben Earl may even be redeployed at centre if circumstances demand it.
The only slight caveat is that Henry Slade, straight back in at outside-centre, and Ford have played minimal rugby this season because of injury. England want to be fast and furious but are clearly keen to think straight as well. There remains a fine balance, even so, between picking the best team on paper and the most effective one to win on grass at the weekend. With so many other contenders looking over their shoulders, England’s chosen few cannot afford to start slowly.
There is another unknown element, too, in the shape of the new enhanced elite player squad contracts which some players now have and others do not. Borthwick has made clear to his squad that selection will not be based on contractual status but, for some, that is going to require a considerable leap of the imagination. Take Underhill, now out of the 23 completely and without a hybrid contract. Does he now redouble his efforts or fear the writing is already on the wall? If there is even the slightest suggestion of a two-tier dressing room, with differing treatment for the haves and have nots, the theoretical benefits of the new system will be instantly diluted.
There is also a sense that, in some positions, Borthwick is engaged in a holding operation until one or two precocious young talents are finally oven ready. It is common knowledge that England are excited about a clutch of youthful props who, for the moment, remain works in progress. Human nature being what it is, though, it is asking a lot of fringe players to hold tackle bags for a month knowing they may shortly be discarded anyway. If Borthwick is really canny he will already have quietly guaranteed, say, Fin Smith or Trevor Davison at least one autumn start and resolved to rotate his starting lineup to offer as many players as possible a fair crack.
Because the next few weeks ultimately revolve around how England go collectively, rather than merely the isolated fortunes of a couple of individuals. Of course there is much to gain for the Currys and the 32-year-old Spencer, who has worked hard to speed up his passing from the base of the ruck. The reality, though, is that England’s basics, especially in the final quarter, need to be sharper across the board.
“If you want to attack the way we want to attack, you have to make sure you’re working off good ball at the breakdown,” Borthwick said. “The challenge for us is to make sure we achieve that.” As with rebuilding the economy, the devil is always in the detail.
