Captain Maro Itoje told his England team ‘there’s no mountain we can’t climb’ as the national side kick-off a crunch autumn campaign on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick’s side welcome Australia to Twickenham before Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina follow in the next three weeks. Head coach Borthwick has been vocal that England’s long-term target is to win the 2027 World Cup and Itoje agrees.
Fresh from leading the Lions to a glorious series victory in Australia this summer, Itoje is ready to do battle with the Wallabies once again.
The lock has challenged England to achieve an autumn clean sweep by claiming big southern hemisphere scalps and prove they can be genuine contenders for global glory.
‘We want to do really well in 2027. But in order for us to do that, we have these really important games in the build-up,’ Itoje said. ‘You don’t just rock up to a World Cup and win. A World Cup is a reflection of your body of work. Now, we are trying to put together our body of work for that.
‘The direction of travel is incredibly exciting. At my stage of career, it gives me so much motivation to keep going. We need to be consistent and we need to continue to build over time, but I think there’s no mountain we can’t climb.
‘I’ve been fortunate enough to win a few trophies in my career and when you win one, the feeling of ecstasy is so severe it’s a bit like a drug. You want to experience it more and more and that’s definitely the case.
‘There’s not a team we’re playing who I don’t think we can beat. We want to go and win all our games. Every player should definitely aspire to that. Our fans should expect us to have the same mindset.’
Maro Itoje passes the ball in training at Twickenham on Friday alongside Alex Coles
Guy Pepper trains ahead of the game after shining in the 2-0 series win over Argentina
Without Itoje and the core of their side who were on Lions duty in the summer, England recorded a clean sweep of three victories on their tour of the Americas.
Borthwick’s side have won their past seven Tests and will face Australia with confidence and momentum behind them.
But this time last year, they were beaten by the Wallabies at Twickenham. Joe Schmidt’s side can’t be taken lightly and are battle-hardened from the recent Rugby Championship.
By contrast, England have had just four full training sessions to prepare for their autumn opener since Borthwick’s squad met up on Sunday night. Schmidt has rubbished any claims England will be able to use rustiness as an excuse.
Australia won 42-37 when the sides last met at Twickenham last November
His opposite number Borthwick’s two big selection calls were to start George Ford ahead of Fin Smith at No 10 and select Tommy Freeman at outside centre instead of his usual wing berth.
But equally as significant were the selections of Fin Baxter, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper in the pack. All five were key men in the 2-0 series win in Argentina in July.
‘The (Lions) tour was great. England were fantastic in Argentina winning 2-0 and I think we’ve all come back with the desire to be a part of winning England sides,’ Itoje said.
‘That’s the opportunity in front of us. We have the coaches and the players to do it, so now it’s on us to deliver.’
