Borthwick: England must adapt to Test rugby more quickly

Ahead of England's November matches in the Autumn Nations Series, head coach Steve Borthwick stressed that his players need to make a much faster transition from Premiership Rugby to Test rugby. The team will face Australia on 8 November, Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November. The squad will be announced on Monday.

Borthwick reminded that Australia will visit Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday and that this match marks the start of the second phase of the tournament. In his view, England must raise their standards in the contact area and in defence. He said Premiership's attack-focused game produces exciting matches but is an inadequate preparation for facing Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

In the only round of the European Champions Cup played this season, English clubs faced a different level in defence and in the contact area. English teams, which won only one of eight matches, lost more possession in contact than clubs from other countries and won back less of it. Borthwick also said that having English referees officiate in the domestic leagues makes it harder to get used to international interpretations.

England have been shown 15 yellow cards in eight Tests this year. Four of them were issued against Argentina in July. Borthwick said he believes the solution to the problem lies in attacking play.