Table of Content
Former England World Cup winner Matt Dawson believes Steve Borthwick’s side should enter next weekend’s match against New Zealand as genuine favourites following their convincing 78-15 victory over Japan.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Dawson stated that England must get accustomed to carrying the expectations of contenders if they intend to challenge for major honours. He pointed out that while recent wins over Australia and Japan were promising, Wales’ historic victory over the All Blacks provided clear evidence that New Zealand’s current playing style can be effectively contained.
Challenging the All Blacks
Dawson observed that New Zealand displayed a limited attack during the second half of their defeat in Cardiff. Although the All Blacks were missing key performers such as Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, and Jordie Barrett, he noted that their tactical approach had already been exposed earlier in the year when South Africa won three consecutive Tests against them in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
In contrast, Dawson described England’s attack during the current campaign as very slick. He argued that the upcoming fixtures offer England a vital opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition, though he placed France and South Africa slightly ahead of the rest of the world.
Squad Selection and Player Performances
Addressing selection decisions for the upcoming Test, Dawson highlighted several individual displays from the victory against Japan. Following an injury to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso against Australia, Will Joseph put himself in contention for the left wing after scoring five tries on the right flank.
In the midfield, Dawson praised Max Ojomoh’s physicality at inside centre, suggesting he provides dependable coverage if Seb Atkinson is unavailable. He also lauded back-rower Greg Fisilau for his defensive strength, technical precision, and control at the base of the scrum, noting that Fisilau presents a natural specialist option at number eight alongside Ben Earl and Henry Pollock.
Inspiration from Wales
Dawson expressed admiration for Wales after their triumph ended a 73-year winless streak against New Zealand. With Wales set to meet England in the pool stage of next year’s World Cup, he stressed that a competitive Welsh team is beneficial for northern hemisphere rugby as a whole.
However, Dawson cautioned that England must prepare for a strong reaction from New Zealand, warning that a wounded All Blacks squad remains a dangerous opponent.
