England’s supporters were right to go mad about beating New Zealand on Saturday.
The 33-19 win was just the ninth victory in 47 attempts in the fixture’s 120-year history, and only the second at Twickenham since 2002.
“That was just great,” said a man with a wide smile as he wound his way down one of the stadium’s concrete stairwells.
The look in George Ford’s eyes, post-match, was different. Of course the England fly-half was delighted at defeating the All Blacks.
It had happened once before in Ford’s career, in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.
But Ford is a proper competitor at the highest level, so his sporting soul was screaming that this is where England should be, much more often.
Having contributed two superb drop goals, a 50-22 and a solid late penalty, alongside a few less impressive moments, the 32-year-old said: “We don’t want this to be a flash in the pan.”
A year ago, when England were losing at home to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, they were adjusting to the loss of a load of senior players, either retired or off limits at clubs in France – Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Billy and Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Jack Willis, Joe Marchant, Lewis Ludlam, Dave Ribbans…
It felt legitimate to cut head coach Steve Borthwick some slack. There was also a turnover in Borthwick’s coaching staff, which has continued into this calendar year, with Lee Blackett and Byron McGuigan the latest to be brought in, on attack and defence respectively.
Blackett’s fingerprints were all over Saturday’s crucial second try in the 55th minute: a classic midfield bluff as New Zealand expected Ollie Lawrence to crash the ball up from a line-out, only for the Bath centre to slip the scorer Fraser Dingwall through instead.
Twickenham erupts! England execute the perfect lineout attack after Ford’s pinpoint 50:22 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Xa8QEJ6jUa
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 15, 2025Another plus point this autumn, during which England have beaten a knackered Australia, a talented but flawed Fiji, and now a transitional New Zealand, is the form of Ford at fly-half, with Fin Smith and Marcus Smith as solid alternatives.
The England scrum made mincemeat of New Zealand in the second half. Ellis Genge, a 74-cap front-row big dog, has twice been kept growling on the bench to be a high-impact replacement, as England attempt to master the 23-man game.
The chat from the players is that they believe they can create an entire squad of equal proficiency, parking egos for the greater good.
For the first time since a brief spell in early 2022, England are back up to third in the world rankings, having just beaten the team who stand second.
The obvious next benchmark are South Africa, whose awesome power has just been seen in away wins over France and Italy despite having a man sent off in both matches.
It would be cool if England faced the Springboks next week, but it must wait until the new Nations Championship (the competition replacing the summer and autumn “friendlies”) next July, possibly in Pretoria or Johannesburg. That will be a huge test.
In the meantime, England face Argentina at Twickenham next Sunday, followed by the Six Nations in February and March, when Wales and Ireland are their visitors, with trips to Scotland, Italy and France.
There are still question marks over England’s centre partnership (Photo: Getty)If a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2016 is the target, England will need a better line-out than Saturday’s, when New Zealand stole six of their throws. They will also need a first win in France since 2016.
And to conquer the Irish, the French and the South Africans as this season plays out, they may need more power in the midfield and back row.
A hamstring injury for Tommy Freeman against Fiji interrupted the experiment of the Northampton wing at No 13.
Fraser Dingwall is an interesting position, in several senses. On the front foot he is a lovely player, with the ability to launch Lawrence or find width.
Your next read
square CRICKET InterviewI captained Brendon McCullum – he was a cocky little prick
square MARK DOUGLASJude Bellingham’s sulky reaction to being subbed is exactly what England need
square LUKE LITTLER My Sporting LifeLuke Littler: Let me chill out, I am only 18
square MARK DOUGLASGordon over Palmer? My predicted England XI to start the World Cup
Argentina are strong in this area, so next Sunday should be used as another examination of the Dingwall-Lawrence combo, while remembering the pre-autumn intel that England fancied Seb Atkinson at No 12, only for the 23-year-old from Gloucester to be injured.
Borthwick himself is treading a fine line, not wanting to kill all England followers’ joy, while imploring his team to stay grounded.
He knows that their run of 10 straight wins counts for something, but there is plenty still to be achieved.
Hence then, the article about the hurdles england must overcome to be true rugby world cup contenders was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The hurdles England must overcome to be true Rugby World Cup contenders )
Also on site :
- China's First Domestic Anti-CTLA-4 Monoclonal Antibody, Innovent's TABOSUN® (Ipilimumab N01 Injection) Received NMPA Approval
- Prominent Canadian Musician Says Gig Was Cancelled After Google AI Overview Wrongly Branded Him Sex Pest
- Goldman Sachs expects layoffs to keep rising—and says investors are punishing the stocks of companies that slash staff