Steve Borthwick hints at unleashing 'project' against Fiji after England's opening Quilter Nations Series victory over Australia

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What "projects" does Steve Borthwick have in mind for England after their opening Quilter Nations Series victory over Australia? The head coach saw his team perform strongly to a dogged Australia at Allianz Stadium, and afterwards spoke about an idea he is considering for his team's clash with Fiji next Saturday. Watch the Quilter Nations Series on TNT Sports.

Earl steams under posts for first try as England make fast start

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England head coach Steve Borthwick hinted at unleashing one of his "projects" against Fiji next Saturday, after his side got their Quilter Nations Series campaign off to a winning start.

England downed Australia 25-7 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday in an ultimately comfortable victory that saw the home bench - including the mercurial Henry Pollock - take the game away from the visitors in the closing stages.

It was a display that confirmed the plethora of options at Borthwick's disposal, and in the post-match debrief, he again talked about the hybrid roles he has in mind for some of his side - namechecking Pollock and Ben Earl - as he continues his quest to build a squad capable of covering all bases and responding to different situations in games.

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"I think it's really important to have that flexibility of positions, especially if we continue with 6-2 [split on the bench between forwards and backs]," Borthwick told the press.

"I'd be quite happy to start Ben Earl in the centres. I talked in the week about the possibility of Henry on the wing, and it's certainly a project that we have started, to be able to cover that in a game - to be clear - to be able to move there, should we need to.

"The Ben Earl project we started a long, long time ago, drip-feeding that into training, before he had to do that against Wales away at the end of the [last] Six Nations and did so well.

"It's another project we've started with Henry. You would expect me to be thinking about these things, you would expect me to put this into the planning, and that's exactly what we're doing."

When asked whether he is considering Earl at centre for Fiji next weekend, Borthwick revealed: "When I start planning for the week ahead, I go through all kinds of permutations.

"That's certainly something I've considered for this coming week, and now I'm waiting to get the medical report and see where everybody is at, and then I'll make a decision on selection.

"Depending on how they are, I'll probably name the team potentially Monday. If not it will be Tuesday morning.

"If the medical report is good I'll probably go on Monday, so we can get on with the training."

‘A peroxide peach!’ – Pollock makes instant impact with ‘outstanding’ try

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Pollock 'probably the most excited person'

Pollock's display from the bench confirmed his star billing, somehow scooping up a ball from near his feet just minutes after coming on to blast through the Australia defence and get his side's second try that broke the floodgates.

The 20-year-old captivated throughout his cameo to rouse the crowd, and Borthwick saluted his tyro's "character".

"I think everybody is excited when Henry Pollock gets on the pitch, what he brings, there's no doubt about that," the England head coach said.

"I think he's probably the most excited person, the way he is, the energy that he brings - he's a ball of energy, and I love having that character in the squad.

Pollock revels in England win after making box-office cameo off bench

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I think we've got a great blend of personalities developing within the team, the senior leadership have done a great job this week."

Borthwick issues injury update on Daly, Martin

Borthwick's squad is set to be swelled further in the coming weeks, as he gave an injury update on Elliot Daly following the win over Australia.

"I was really hopeful that Elliot was going to be right for this week. He had another specialist appointment that said just give it a little bit more time," Borthwick said of Daly, who was forced off the British & Irish Lions tour in the summer.

"I don't anticipate Elliot being right for this coming week, but it won't be very far away after that hopefully."

Borthwick also namechecked Ben Curry and George Martin as players on the road back to fitness, with the latter being on the grass with the squad this week.

Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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