Biggest call of Borthwick’s reign to date: 5 England talking points

England warmed up for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand by claiming a ninth consecutive win after dispatching Fiji 38-18.

Here the PA news agency looks at five lessons learned from the second of this month’s four matches at Allianz Stadium.

On a roll
Rewind 12 months and England were on a seven-Test losing run against tier one opposition. Now they occupy the giddy heights of being expected to topple New Zealand in the headline event of the autumn in what would be their first triumph over the All Blacks at Twickenham since 2012.

Fiji are dangerous opponents who sprung an almighty upset when the nations met two years ago so England will be satisfied at having negotiated a banana-skin fixture with an ultimately emphatic victory.

Here comes the cavalry
One again it was the bench that proved the difference with Fiji trailing just 21-18 when head coach Steve Borthwick unleashed his bomb squad of five forwards in the 54th minute. Maro Itoje and Henry Arundell were part of a staggered second wave who helped propel England clear with the three final-quarter try-scorers – Jamie George, Arundell and Itoje – all replacements. It has become a key weapon that has meant the late collapses that haunted 2024 are a distant memory.

Arundell makes an impact
Arundell celebrated the end of his two-year England exile by scoring the key try – and in a instant showed why he is a valuable weapon building towards he 2027 World Cup.

Unavailable for selection due to playing club rugby in France, it took just two minutes for the 23-year-old wing to display his raw pace by beating two defenders in a race for Marcus Smith’s kick. Dangerous every time he touched the ball, it was a high-octane cameo from the super-sub who shone the brightest of England’s bench.

Borthwick’s selection headache
England’s growing depth means Borthwick faces some tough decisions across the 23 for the visit of New Zealand and for the first time this autumn he will reveal his strongest starting XV. Expect Tom Curry to figure in the back row and for George Ford to return at fly-half, but even these calls are not certainties with the wings, full-back and midfield providing the biggest selection puzzles.

Much depends on whether Borthwick wants to continue loading his bench with experienced heavyweights to gain the edge in the closing stages when the match will be won or lost. Thursday is shaping up to be the most fascinating team announcement of Borthwick’s reign.

Fiji on the rise
Borthwick and captain Ellis Genge were effusive in their praise of Fiji – and these were no mere platitudes. The Islanders ultimately lost to the extra firepower England could bring to bear, but until that point they showed a thrilling ability to strike from anywhere on the field, a strong set-piece, solid kicking game and tactical cohesion.

Their ranking of ninth is due to never playing top tier opposition in Fiji and fails to reflect the threat they pose. Borthwick is backing them to be World Cup semi-finalists in 2027 and they are a side that all the big guns will want to avoid.