England’s rugby team is stepping into a huge few months of sport — not just for themselves but for the nation as a whole.
With both the rugby and cricket teams preparing to take on Australia, the rivalry between the two sporting giants is about to take center stage once again.
Head coach Steve Borthwick and his players are hoping to kick off a stretch of English dominance, starting this weekend at Twickenham, when they face the Wallabies in what promises to be a fiery clash.
A Meeting of Minds with Brendon McCullum
In a fun twist, England’s rugby staff recently sat down with another national coach who knows a thing or two about winning — Brendon McCullum, the man behind the country’s resurgent cricket team.
Assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth revealed that the two coaching groups met over coffee in Manchester to share ideas and a few laughs.
“We met Brendon and his coaching staff a few weeks ago,” Wigglesworth said.
“They’ll go out and give it a great dig as all English teams do. It’s a great rivalry, one both sides enjoy. So yes, bring on Saturday!”
And with England’s cricketers preparing to start their Ashes campaign in Australia on November 21, Wigglesworth couldn’t resist a cheeky grin when he added, “Hopefully, we stick one on the board. I’m not sure how we’ll go in the Ashes.”
Inspiration from ‘Bazball’ Energy
Ever since McCullum took charge of England’s cricket side, their thrilling new approach — nicknamed ‘Bazball’ — has transformed the way the team plays. It’s bold, fast, and full of intent — even if McCullum himself isn’t a fan of the term.
Now, England’s rugby stars are looking to channel that same energy.
“We feel we’ve got a dynamic team, so we want to play that way,” Wigglesworth said.
It’s clear that both codes are driven by the same desire — to win with flair and entertain fans while doing it.
Riding a Winning Streak into the Autumn Tests
The timing couldn’t be better. Borthwick’s men head into the autumn series riding the confidence of a seven-match winning streak.
But they’ll need to find their rhythm fast.
The squad only regrouped on Sunday night, giving them just four training sessions before facing a battle-hardened Australia — fresh off their Rugby Championship campaign.
Still, home advantage at Twickenham counts for plenty, and England are determined to set the tone for what they hope will be months of sporting triumph over their southern rivals.
Australia Missing Key Players but Still Dangerous
The Wallabies arrive in London without some of their biggest names — including powerhouse lock Will Skelton, who’s tied to his French club La Rochelle.
Because this weekend’s match falls outside World Rugby’s official Test window, Australia can’t call on players contracted overseas.
That said, they’re not exactly short of muscle. Head coach Joe Schmidt named his side on Thursday, including Taniela Tupou, the giant tighthead prop nicknamed the ‘Tongan Thor.’
Though Tupou has had a dip in form lately, his sheer size and power make him a threat England can’t ignore.
England Eye the First Strike in a Fierce Rivalry
The next few months promise to be an exciting time for English sport.
The rugby side will try to lay the first blow in the long-standing England–Australia rivalry, with the cricketers following soon after.
It’s not just about winning — it’s about setting a tone of confidence and style.
As Wigglesworth put it, England’s goal is simple: “We want to play with energy, we want to entertain, and we want to win.”
And with Twickenham ready to roar, England’s push for national bragging rights begins now.