Maro Itoje sees victory over Australia as more than just a step forward in the new Nations Championship, with the England captain believing it's a golden opportunity to strike a major psychological blow for next year's World Cup.
The old rivals will be meeting for the last time before what's projected to be an epic quarter-final clash in Sydney on October 31 next year when the 2027 global rugby showpiece is in full cry in Australia.
“Each game is new but there’s no doubt that against teams you’re going to play down the line, you want them to know that you’ve got their number,” said Itoje on the eve of Sunday's (Monday AEDT) clash at Twickenham.
“We want to win this weekend for this weekend’s sake, but we also want to win because we don’t want to give the opposition an inch.
“These are the games that get your blood pumping and you realise it’s big. In terms of where we want to go and doing well in this competition, we want to respond to the inconsistencies of the Six Nations.
“We want to show ourselves and show England fans that we’ve turned a corner. For that reason, this game is huge."
That's because England have had a really disappointing 2026 campaign, having lost five of their eight Tests.
Last year, England's forwards dominated in the 25-7 win over Australia, and Itoje, who's refreshed after being rested for the July tour, is determined they begin the northern hemisphere phase of the Nations Championship in similar fashion.
"I have full confidence that the public, England fans and our families and friends in the stands are going to see a team that's fighting for one another, putting their best foot forward, that’s aggressive and taking the game to Australia," said the British & Irish Lions leader.
“We want to set the tone of how this autumn is going to go and show the public what this team is about.”
The skipper's rallying cry came alongside further backing for beleaguered coach Steve Borthwick, who's been at the centre of reports that his management style prompted squad unrest and caused a toxic environment during the July tour.
“I can wholeheartedly say that Steve has not lost the faith of us players,” Itoje said. “We back him 100 per cent.
“We want to play for Steve, we want to represent him in a way that is fitting of the quality of coach he is. We’re going to have to use everything to make sure we do the job.”
With PA
