Borthwick warns England they must improve ahead of Nations Championship tests

England head coach Steve Borthwick has warned his players that they must quickly adapt to the demands of international rugby if they are to enjoy a successful November campaign in the Nations Championship.

England are preparing for a challenging run of fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, beginning with Sunday's meeting against the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Borthwick believes his squad must raise its standards in defence and at the breakdown to compete against the three opponents.

The coach highlighted the differences between domestic Premiership rugby and the international game, particularly in the physical contest for possession. He also pointed to the importance of adjusting to different refereeing interpretations when playing outside England.

Borthwick's concerns come after England received 15 yellow cards in their eight Test matches so far this year, including four in their most recent outing against Argentina in July. He believes the team must improve its discipline and avoid spending too much time defending close to its own try line.

"The contact area in the Prem is different to Test rugby," Borthwick explained, stressing that his players need to become more effective at winning and retaining possession.

England also have injury concerns ahead of the opening fixture. Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell is doubtful after suffering a hamstring injury during his club's 28-14 victory over Gloucester. Fin Smith and Archie McParland are also among the players who have recently dealt with fitness problems.

Following the Australia match on November 8, England will face Japan on November 14 before concluding their November international programme against New Zealand on November 21. Borthwick sees the series as an important opportunity to assess his players ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.