England vs Australia live: Result and reaction as Henry Pollock lights up Twickenham in autumn international
Can Steve Borthwick’s side begin an intriguing November with a win over a dangerous Australia?
England dispatched Australia in a huge autumn international win over their old rivals at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Ben Earl struck with a fine try underlining early England dominance, but Harry Potter produced a magical 14-point swing for the Wallabies to hit back before the break.
Potter denied Earl a double, then seized possession, as his vision enabled a fine interception before a lung-busting run across almost the entire length of the pitch to score and help the visitors close to within three points at the interval.
And England surged clear in the second half, leaning on their own ‘Bomb Squad’ through the replacements, with Henry Pollock’s magical score providing breathing room.
Alex Mitchell added a third try before Luke Cowan-Dickie capped a magnificent driving maul to clinch victory for Steve Borthwick’s side. Follow all the latest reaction from the Allianz Stadium in our live blog below:
Henry Pollock, Carter Gordon and 10 other international rugby players to watch in November
Henry Pollock, England
It is worth remembering that this is Henry Pollock’s first proper international campaign with England, the youngster called in late in the Six Nations to make his debut against Wales before touring with the British and Irish Lions in July. That will not necessarily calm the excitement around a player who looks to have something special, and finding out how best to utilise Pollock alongside his other back-row resources will have been a conundrum Steve Borthwick will have enjoyed entering November. Be it on the openside, at No 8 or even on the wing – if required – the 20-year-old should continue his speedy rise through the ranks.
Henry Pollock and 11 other international rugby players to watch in November
How England’s bench ‘Bomb Squad’ decided hard-fought Australia clash
England may not quite not yet look like the bonafide World Cup winners they have confidence they can be in two years time but this was nonetheless a positive first step on the long journey to Australia 2027. It took plenty of graft and grit to overcome the Wallabies but overcome they eventually were, with a ferocious defensive performance and second-half surge taking England to a solid start to their autumn, writes Harry Latham-Coyle from Twickenham.
In the process, a few ghosts of last November were perhaps banished. Australia’s victory here 12 months ago had been something of a heist, snatched at the last in an autumn of discontent in which England seemed to have forgotten how to win. This was a very different game yet there would have been some satisfaction in how, having shipped 42 points to their visitors a year ago, they kept the Wallabies to only a 95-metre intercept try here.
How England’s bench ‘Bomb Squad’ decided hard-fought Australia clash
George Ford on the challenges of England's first game
"I am obviously delighted with the result in the end. It was a tricky game for a number of reasons. The first game brings challenges, the weather and going against a well-trained team,” George Ford says.
"When you are dominant and the scoreboard doesn't reflect that you feel like you have to go chasing for points but we just wanted to build pressure.
"We know that with our set-piece and the lads coming off the bench that they were going to add some impetus."
Matt Dawson tears into 'dreadful' Australia
“Australia were dreadful,” Matt Dawson said on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.
“The worst I have ever seen them.”
Australia fixtures and autumn internationals schedule
8 November - 17:40: Italy v Australia
15 November - 20:10: Ireland v Australia
22 November - 20:10: France v Australia
Steve Borthwick reacts to England win over Australia
“I thought the way the players responded was magnificent,” Steve Borthwick tells BBC Sport.
"I think Wiggy [Richard Wigglesworth] is doing an amazing job on defence and he is a top quality coach. We know next week it will be a different test and we will have to be even better than we were today.
"There is chance to improve this week, train really well and enhance our performance."
England fixtures and autumn internationals schedule
8 November - 17:40: England v Fiji
15 November - 15:10: England v New Zealand
23 November - 16:10: England v Argentina
Danny Care lauds 'superstar' Henry Pollock after England win over Australia
"He's unbelievable for the game,” Danny Care tells TNT Sports.
“He's got swagger, not many players would dye their hair like that, kids love him, too, he's just everything.
“We want to celebrate our superstars and he's absolutely one of them."
Henry Pollock reveals England will not celebrate Australia win and focus is on Fiji
“We’re taking it game by game,” Pollock tells TNT Sports. “We are, we’re happy with our performance.
“Australia have been close for a long time, but it was about how we can show ourselves?
“Building to next week now. I don’t think [we’ll be celebrating tonight], bed by midnight, recovery, and then straight into next week.”
George Ford hails England's rise under Steve Borthwick
“It feels like being part of a squad, you know you're part of a proper squad, the Lions, the lads who went to Argentina and did a job,” George Ford tells TNT Sports.
“Training levels have gone through the roof. The way we prepared, the way we're grounded, we want to improve and hopefully the results come.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks