It was a damp, grey evening at Twickenham, but the excitement came from England’s replacements rather than the weather.
Among them, Henry Pollock made the loudest statement—not just with his play but with his bright new peroxide hair.
The 20-year-old’s flashy blonde locks may have been a bid for attention, but on the pitch, he backed it up with action, lighting up the match and proving England’s bench is far from ordinary.
Pollock Leads the Charge Off the Bench
Pollock’s energy was electric. With 50 minutes on the clock and England locked in a grinding Test against the Wallabies, the replacement forwards bounced along the sideline like caged animals ready to explode.
Ellis Genge snarled, Luke Cowan-Dickie looked poised for impact, and Pollock literally radiated energy, his rat-tail forgotten in favor of a shock of platinum.
This “hype squad” turned the momentum in England’s favor, dominating in the final quarter and suffocating Australia’s attacks.
England’s Pack Proves Their World-Class Credentials
The Wallabies were missing key players such as Will Skelton and Len Ikitau, but England’s back-five forwards made a strong statement regardless.
Tom Curry threw his body into every tackle, Will Stuart powered the set-piece, and Tom Roebuck made life miserable in the air with relentless chases of box kicks.
England’s forwards clearly have the depth to compete for top World Cup seeding, leaving Australia chasing shadows for much of the game.
Midfield Challenges Remain
While the forwards impressed, England’s midfield still faces questions.
Fraser Dingwall struggled to capitalize on opportunities, and Tommy Freeman has a tough road ahead if he wants to become a top-class No13 in time for 2027.
Ollie Lawrence, sidelined for this match, may feel hard done by after England’s line breaks went unconverted.
These are the areas where England will need to sharpen their game before taking on the likes of New Zealand.
Discipline and Strategy Win the Day
England’s preparation paid off in other ways too.
Steve Borthwick’s warnings about Australia’s breakdown infringements were not empty threats—referee Nika Amashukeli penalized the Wallabies twice in quick succession for exactly the offenses Borthwick highlighted.
England capitalized, making inroads into the Australian 22 and turning pressure into points.
George Ford opened the scoring with his kicking game, and Ben Earl showcased his potential as a centre with a blistering run to the try line after Sam Underhill’s support play.
Defence and Heroics Keep Australia at Bay
England’s defence held strong. Underhill battled with blood streaming from his face, repelling the Wallabies’ set-piece attacks.
Harry Potter added a highlight with a long-range intercept try, but the Australians could manage just one other score.
The night belonged to England’s forwards, whose collective effort overshadowed a backline that struggled to ignite in wet conditions.
Finishing Strong and Pollock’s Impact
Henry Pollock capped off a memorable night by scoring his third try in just two Tests, outmaneuvering Andrew Kellaway to the delight of the Twickenham crowd.
Mitchell and Cowan-Dickie also crossed the line following dominant driving mauls.
Even when Pollock was sent to the sin bin late in the game, he ensured he left his mark, agitating the Australians and keeping the energy high until the final whistle.
Looking Ahead to Fiji and Beyond
With England’s bench proving decisive and the forwards delivering world-class performances, the next challenge will be sharpening the attacking play and solidifying the midfield.
Fiji awaits next week, but the big questions remain for Borthwick: can England’s backline find cohesion and creativity to take on the likes of the All Blacks?
One thing is clear—this autumn series has started with a statement, and Henry Pollock’s new look and fearless style has set the tone.