England made a powerful statement at a rain-soaked Twickenham, outmuscling Australia 25–7 to record their first victory over a southern hemisphere giant under head coach Steve Borthwick. In front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts combined tactical discipline with a burst of second-half brilliance to claim a well-deserved win and extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.
The victory — England’s first over Australia, South Africa, or New Zealand during Borthwick’s tenure — extended their winning streak to eight matches, their longest since 2020.
Despite leading just 10–7 at halftime, England pulled away in the second half, scoring three tries in a dominant 15-minute spell after unleashing five British & Irish Lions forwards from the bench.
“First game of the November series is notoriously difficult,” fly-half George Ford told TNT Sports. “There was that thunderbolt moment with the intercept try — we felt dominant but it was still tight at 10–7. The first 10 minutes of the second half were scrappy, but we got there in the end.”
Australia’s only points came from a 92-meter intercept try by winger Harry Potter, who also produced key defensive stops to deny England multiple first-half scores. Flanker Fraser McReight was another standout for the Wallabies, forcing several turnovers to keep the hosts honest.
England’s early pressure finally paid off midway through the first half when No. 8 Ben Earl raced clear to score after Tom Roebuck collected a box kick from Alex Mitchell. Ford converted for a 10–0 lead before Potter’s intercept try cut the gap to three at the break.
With the rain pouring and momentum stalling, Borthwick turned to his bench — and the impact was instant. Debutant Henry Pollock, sporting bleached hair, produced a stunning one-handed pickup to score moments after coming on.
Mitchell and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, earning his 50th cap, added further tries as England’s forward power overwhelmed the visitors.
Cowan-Dickie’s late try from a rolling maul sealed a statement 25–7 win — England’s first over one of rugby’s southern giants since July 2022.
England will look to extend their streak against Fiji next weekend, while Australia travel to face Italy.
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