Steve Borthwick blames Premiership clubs for England's run of results

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England’s head coach Steve Borthwick has dropped a bombshell, claiming his squad was not fit enough for Test rugby when they embarked on their autumn campaign.

This revelation comes after England's latest disappointment: a bruising defeat to South Africa that extended their miserable run.

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Ollie Sleightholme's Lightning Start

It all looked promising when Ollie Sleightholme crossed the line just three minutes in, sending Twickenham into a frenzy. But South Africa, in true Springbok style, hit back with authority. Quickfire tries from Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Cheslin Kolbe left England chasing shadows.

Sam Underhill's Heroics

Sam Underhill did his best to spark a comeback, crashing over to bring England within two points by halftime. But South Africa's relentless physicality and sharp play saw Kolbe add another try in the second half. England's efforts grew increasingly desperate, yet they couldn't breach the well-organized Bok defense.

Borthwick's Concerns Over Conditioning

England's five-game losing streak is now their worst since Eddie Jones’ team endured a similar stretch in 2018. After the loss, Borthwick didn't hold back, admitting he was concerned with his players’ readiness.

"Clearly we have played against a series of very good teams that have come off the back of the Rugby Championship, so they are Test match hardened," Borthwick explained. "At the start of this series, you looked at the condition of the players and it wasn't quite where it needed to be for Test match rugby, for teams stepping straight into Test match rugby."

This candid assessment will likely ruffle feathers in the Premiership, with Borthwick seemingly pointing fingers at domestic conditioning standards.

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"3.5/10" – Every England Player Ranked From Worst to Best After a Brutal Autumn Losing Streak

England's autumn series served up a mixed bag of dramatic moments, crushing setbacks, and flashes of hope as they faced off against three of the world's rugby powerhouses: New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

From promising individual performances to team-wide struggles, the matches were a test of England’s mettle. While Maro Itoje celebrated a significant milestone, Marcus Smith’s tactical brilliance kept the English dream alive, only to be thwarted by the consistency of world-class opposition.

Each game told its own tale. Against New Zealand, England showed heart but lacked the cutting edge, narrowly falling short. The encounter with Australia showcased an improved attacking spark but raised defensive concerns, while the clash with South Africa saw the Springboks ruthlessly expose England’s vulnerabilities.

Let’s dive into the individual performances, where moments of magic were sometimes overshadowed by missed chances, and see who emerged as England's shining lights in an autumn that demanded resilience and reflection.

England players ranked from worst to best: Average rating

27. Jack van Poortvliet – 3.0
Spilled the ball immediately and looked out of sorts. Struggled against South Africa's behemoths and was regularly charged down.

26. George Ford – 3.5
Had limited impact off the bench. The usual tactical master couldn't turn games around when it mattered.

25. Ellis Genge – 3.8
Usually a wrecking ball, but this Autumn saw missed tackles and too many penalties. Breathless in one match and stood still in another – not a vintage Genge season.

24. Tommy Freeman – 4.3
An electric talent with ball in hand, but we barely saw that. Looked off the pace and found himself chasing kicks more than making breaks.

23. Fin Baxter – 4.5
Promising but didn't stand out. Did the basics but struggled to make a lasting impact when introduced.

22. Nick Isiekwe – 4.5
Solid in the line-out but quiet in open play. England needed more from the Saracens second-row.

21. Alex Dombrandt – 4.8
Inconsistent performances off the bench. A few good carries but not enough to change the game. He’ll want to prove his worth next time.

20. Freddie Steward – 5.0
Reliable under the high ball but was outplayed by South Africa's lethal backs. Couldn't quite get England moving forward.

19. Henry Slade – 5.2
Defensive general in the blitz but exposed at times. A ruled-out try and injury added to a frustrating Autumn.

18. Ollie Lawrence – 5.2
Strong in contact when used, but England simply didn't play to his strengths. Needs to be more involved to make a difference.

17. Ben Spencer – 5.3
A mixed bag: good moments against Australia but a bit slow under pressure. England needed more from their half-backs.

16. Chandler Cunningham-South – 5.7
Physical and aggressive but couldn't dominate South Africa’s brutal back row. Still learning at this level.

15. Jamie George – 5.8
Led from the front with big hits and a presence in the scrum. Ran out of steam, but his leadership remains key.

14. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6.0
Brought dynamism from the bench. Physical and combative, but couldn’t quite change England's fortunes.

13. Will Stuart – 6.0
Solid in the scrum and chipped in with some handy carries. An unfortunate Autumn with harsh penalties.

12. Tom Curry – 6.5
Battled bravely through serious injury concerns. Still a defensive workhorse, but England fans will worry about his health.

11. Ben Curry – 6.5
A reliable force when on. Kept the breakdown competitive and played with spirit, but overshadowed by his twin's absence.

10. Sam Underhill – 6.5
Stepped in for Curry and gave everything. Scored a try against South Africa and defended heroically. An Autumn to remember for his comeback.

9. George Martin – 6.5
Tireless and physical. Stood out against South Africa, creating a try and tackling relentlessly. He's one for the future.

8. Harry Randall – 6.5
Quick and lively from the bench, adding pace to England’s game. Needed more minutes to truly shine.

7. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 6.7
Injured twice but showed resilience. A try against New Zealand and solid defensive work hint at his promise.

6. Tom Roebuck – 6.8
Came on against the Boks and looked lively. Created some excitement with his attacking verve.

5. Ben Earl – 7.0
The carrying machine of England's pack. Impressive footwork and dynamism, though he missed a key tackle against the Boks.

4. Ellis Sleightholme – 7.5
Three tries in two games. Knows where the line is and added spark to England's faltering attack.

3. Chandler Cunningham-South – 7.5
A beast against the All Blacks. Monster hits and two tries against Australia. Showed England fans his immense potential.

2. Marcus Smith – 7.8
The heartbeat of England’s attack. Cross-kicks, fakes, and line breaks. England's bright light even when results went dark.

1. Maro Itoje – 7.8
Iconic in every sense. Marked his 85th cap with a performance full of power, line-out dominance, and bruising physicality. England's best, even in defeat.

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