England's fly-half George Ford has declared their unbeaten tour across the Americas as a superior outing even compared to their transformative 2017 visit to Argentina, which preluded a sprint to the Rugby World Cup final. As they jet back home, England celebrates sweeping victories against Argentina and maintaining composure in a weather-hampered face-off with the United States—an ordeal that pushed the start time at Audi Field back by over three hours.
Reflecting on the tour and looking ahead, Ford expressed optimism about the team's trajectory.
"Come the autumn we should be in a real good place. These boys have put their hand up, they’ve taken their opportunities. With the lads who are on the Lions doing the same thing, it’s going to be unbelievable to be a part of that squad."
Ford noted that several players stepped up during the tour, potentially signaling a robust future for England rugby.The tour not only tested the team's resilience but also showcased emerging talents, with Steve Borthwick, the head coach, highlighting the growth seen during the intense fixtures. "This has been a great experience," Borthwick said. "We’ve faced different challenges. Ten new caps over the three Tests. You can see some real depth developing." He praised the squad's ability to adapt and overcome various challenges, including a relentless defensive stint in La Plata and battling harsh weather and slippery conditions in Washington, D.C.
The physical and athletic prowess of the team was also on full display, according to Borthwick. "The players are athletic, they’re quick, they’re fit and that’s the way the England team is moving," he observed, underscoring the dynamic nature of the squad.
With the autumn series on the horizon featuring clashes at Twickenham against formidable teams like Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina, the anticipation is palpable. Borthwick, counting down the days, seems set on harnessing this momentum. England's readiness to tackle these upcoming challenges head-on could very well reshape their international rugby stature in the seasons to come.