Continuity the key ahead of Autumn Nations Series
England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick highlighted the benefits of a stable squad going into the team’s November fixtures.
With games against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan coming up, Borthwick has named his squad of 36 players.
The likes of Marcus Smith, Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence are included having played during the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand.
This stability is important for the development of the side, particularly the younger players.
Borthwick explained: “I see the continuity building relationships. I think that's a real important thing. Sometimes it takes players some time in an English shirt, sometimes it takes them time to get used to being in it.
“Some jump in straight away and it feels like they've always been there, but the key thing is playing together, the time that they spend together.”
With four home Tests against some of the best sides in the world, the New Zealand fixture on Saturday 2 November will be the team’s first game at Allianz Stadium since they beat Ireland there during the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.
It will also give England the chance to face the All Blacks on home turf, having narrowly missed out on beating them in their two-Test Summer Series.
“As this team develops and matures, then I think we will understand closing and finishing the job,” said Borthwick.
“That's about making sure the team continues the good work of getting themselves in the position to win the games and then making sure they finish the job.”
Among those named in the squad are Tommy Freeman, George Furbank and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, players that Borthwick highlighted as indicative of the importance of the team’s continuity.
He said: “They don't have a lot of caps in total, but they have their caps together and that's really important for us.”
England’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures:
England v New Zealand – Saturday 2 November – 15:10 GMT Kick-off
England v Australia – Saturday 9 November – 15:10 GMT Kick-off
England v South Africa – Saturday 16 November – 17:40 GMT Kick-off
England v Japan – Sunday 24 November – 16:10 GMT Kick-off
