After holding on for victory over Argentina, Steve Borthwick hit out at his ‘negativity committee’ of critics and boarded the long flight back to England with plenty to think about.
Two wins from three in the Nations Championship was a satisfactory outcome for the head coach, although his team are still a long way off the world’s leading teams.
Here, Daily Mail Sport looks at the players who enhanced their reputations, and those who slipped down the pecking order.
WINNERS
Henry Slade (centre)
In 2025, Slade started just one England Test. He was a peripheral figure in Steve Borthwick’s squad and was only called upon when the front-line stars were away on the Lions tour.
Over the past fortnight, Slade has forced his way back into the mix, backing up his fine form for Exeter. His last-gasp tackle against Argentina potentially saved Steve Borthwick’s job.
The 33-year-old covered 10, 12, 13 and 15 as England scrambled to plug holes caused by yellow cards. Borthwick is still working out his best midfield combination – with Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman in the mix – and Slade’s showing has not made that any easier.
Henry Slade has forced his way back into the England mix – and pulled off a tackle against Argentina that might just have kept Steve Borthwick in his job
Fin Smith (No 10)
Over the last 13 months, the fly-half has been on a Lions tour, won the Prem title with Northampton and wrestled back England’s No 10 jersey.
He is the architect of his club’s free-flowing attack that Borthwick is trying to merge with the tactical kicking requirements of Test rugby. Smith started all three Tests this summer, sharing play-making duties with Marcus Smith, following the late withdrawal of George Furbank.
He has become one of the most respected voices in the environment. He was critical of England’s ill-discipline in Santiago del Estero, saying: ‘We’re a very good team with 15 men on the pitch, but actually I think back to the last five, six games I’ve played for England, I reckon I’ve spent at least 25-30 per cent of the game without that.
‘That is frustrating because I don’t think we’re allowing ourselves to show the best of us. The RFU is a massive organisation, Twickenham is full every week, we’ve got great support and I think people just want to see us win which is fair.
‘There’s no reason we shouldn’t be a powerhouse in international rugby and there’s no reason we shouldn’t be winning every week.’
Fin Smith has become one of the most respected voices in the England set-up
Manny Feyi-Waboso (Winger)
For 40 minutes in Santiago del Estero, Feyi-Waboso looked like the best winger in the world.
He beat 14 defenders with his speed and power; more than any English player in the last 15 years. Argentina’s defenders could barely lay a finger on him.
The 23-year-old’s Test career has been plagued by injuries and he is still recovering from jaw surgery last month. ‘I’m still not chewing,’ he revealed. ‘I’ve literally been cutting up all my food into tiny little pieces and blending it all. Mushed up food. After games, I’m in a lot of pain, but it’s worth it.’
If England are serious about adopting a high-tempo running game then Feyi-Waboso can be the perfect weapon.
Against Argentina, Manny Feyi-Waboso beat 14 defenders with his speed and power; more than any English player in the last 15 years
LOSERS
Tom Curry (Flanker)
He lost the No 7 jersey to Guy Pepper following the defeat by the Springboks. South Africa dominated the breakdown in Johannesburg, where Curry struggled to have his usual impact at the ruck.
The flanker has been dogged by injuries. He has a history of turning up in big Test matches and he must once again prove that his body can still operate at its destructive best.
Borthwick seems to have settled on a back-row combination of a line-out six, a ball-carrying No 8 and a disruptive No 7, which puts Curry in direct competition with Pepper for the starting jersey.
Tom Curry (above) has lost the England No 7 jersey to Guy Pepper and now has to prove he deserves it back
Maro Itoje (Lock)
While England’s regular skipper has been enjoying a well-earned summer of rest, a new stable of locks have stepped up to the task.
Alex Coles, George Martin and Ollie Chessum have all emerged as credible starting candidates, which means Itoje’s position in the XV is no longer guaranteed. Subsequently, his position as captain will come into question, with Chessum touted as an alternative candidate.
English discipline
Tommy Freeman, Pepper, Coles, Emmanuel Iyogun, Henry Pollock and Jack van Poortvliet were all sin-binned in either the South Africa or Argentina match.
Perception is so important with referees and England have developed a reputation as one of the most ill-disciplined teams in the world. It is a problem they promised to fix after the Six Nations review, yet a staggering six yellows against South Africa and Argentina took their tally to 14 cards in 10 Tests.
France and South Africa have both appointed former referees to their coaching team in Jerome Garces and Jaco Peyper. Perhaps it is time for Borthwick to follow a similar path.
