November is coming, and Steve Borthwick's England squad is under the microscope once again. With a lineup of matches that reads like a who's who of international rugby — Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina — the stakes couldn't be higher at Allianz Stadium. Last autumn was a letdown, but with the recent squad dynamics and coaching enhancements, Andy Goode, the former England fly-half, sees a brighter horizon for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series.
The addition of Lee Blackett as attack coach has injected a fresh thrill amongst the England rugby fandom. Goode believes Blackett's influence can shift the narrative from a forward-dominated game to an exhilarating backline spectacle. "In the past, most of the focus would have been on the forwards but, aside from No.8, there’s a settled look to the likely starting pack even with the Curry brothers and George Martin on the sidelines," Goode noted in his column.
"There’s experience, size, and power up front and that’ll obviously be a big part of England’s game, but there’s much more to them than grunt and a good kicking game now, and I’m so excited to see the Lee Blackett effect now he’s permanently installed as attack coach."
The exclusion of Owen Farrell this season, according to Goode, "makes complete sense" as a new tactical core takes shape within the team. The summer tour was a testament to this shift with England racking up 13 tries, showcasing a style that promises much under Blackett's guidance.
For Borthwick and his team, building on the momentum from their successful encounters in July is crucial. Goode sets a high bar for the upcoming series, "It’s funny how quickly things change, and England had to ride out a tough autumn last year where Borthwick made some errors of judgement and they lost narrowly to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, only beating Japan." He further articulates the minimum expectations for this season: "This time around, four wins out of four might be a stretch, but you could certainly make a case for it and three wins at the very least is what the men in white will be looking for."
With the Rugby World Cup draw on the horizon in early December, the outcomes in November could significantly influence England's seeding. Despite the loss of Tom Willis, a setback that could dismay many, Goode is optimistic that England's trajectory remains steadfastly upward. An invigorating autumn of rugby awaits, and the stage is set for England to either crumble under the pressure or rise to the occasion.
Teams this November: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Argentina.
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November is coming, and Steve Borthwick's England squad is under the microscope once again. With a lineup of matches that reads like a who's who of international rugby — Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina — the stakes couldn't be higher at Allianz Stadium. Last autumn was a letdown, but with the recent squad dynamics and coaching enhancements, Andy Goode, the former England fly-half, sees a brighter horizon for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series.
The addition of Lee Blackett as attack coach has injected a fresh thrill amongst the England rugby fandom. Goode believes Blackett's influence can shift the narrative from a forward-dominated game to an exhilarating backline spectacle. "In the past, most of the focus would have been on the forwards but, aside from No.8, there’s a settled look to the likely starting pack even with the Curry brothers and George Martin on the sidelines," Goode noted in his column.
"There’s experience, size, and power up front and that’ll obviously be a big part of England’s game, but there’s much more to them than grunt and a good kicking game now, and I’m so excited to see the Lee Blackett effect now he’s permanently installed as attack coach."
The exclusion of Owen Farrell this season, according to Goode, "makes complete sense" as a new tactical core takes shape within the team. The summer tour was a testament to this shift with England racking up 13 tries, showcasing a style that promises much under Blackett's guidance.
For Borthwick and his team, building on the momentum from their successful encounters in July is crucial. Goode sets a high bar for the upcoming series, "It’s funny how quickly things change, and England had to ride out a tough autumn last year where Borthwick made some errors of judgement and they lost narrowly to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, only beating Japan." He further articulates the minimum expectations for this season: "This time around, four wins out of four might be a stretch, but you could certainly make a case for it and three wins at the very least is what the men in white will be looking for."
With the Rugby World Cup draw on the horizon in early December, the outcomes in November could significantly influence England's seeding. Despite the loss of Tom Willis, a setback that could dismay many, Goode is optimistic that England's trajectory remains steadfastly upward. An invigorating autumn of rugby awaits, and the stage is set for England to either crumble under the pressure or rise to the occasion.
Teams this November: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Argentina.