A decade ago, England's rugby team wrote a remarkable redemption story. After a disappointing early exit from the World Cup on home soil, they bounced back with a grand slam victory in Paris. At the heart of this triumph were two flankers whose careers could have easily been cut short by the arrival of a new head coach, Eddie Jones.
Jones had some harsh words for Chris Robshaw, the England captain, during the World Cup. He described him as a solid player at club level but lacking the X-factor needed for international success. Meanwhile, James Haskell, another flanker, spent more time taking selfies than making an impact on the field.
But Jones soon ate his words. One of his greatest coaching achievements was turning a potential weakness into a strength. He built a formidable team around Robshaw, Haskell, and Billy Vunipola at No. 8. Together, they brought an intense, physical edge that transformed England's performance.
The back row trio were instrumental in the Paris victory. Vunipola was named man of the match, Haskell made more tackles than anyone else, and Robshaw gave it his all, barely able to stand at the end of the game.
Haskell even poked fun at critics who questioned England's lack of a natural No. 7, asking the kitman to print jerseys with 6½ on the back for him and Robshaw. Jones made the most of what he had, and it paid off.
Fast forward to today, as England prepares for another Six Nations campaign, the character of the back row has evolved. The game itself has also changed, with the introduction of 6-2 benches and loose forwards who can cover back-line positions.
Steve Borthwick, the current England head coach, has a different set of challenges. While he may not have the same number of enforcers as Jones, he has an abundance of depth and a variety of young talents to choose from.
For the big November games, England started with Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, and Ben Earl, with Tom Curry and Henry Pollock coming on as replacements.
Pepper and Pollock were the breakout stars of 2025. Pepper, playing for Bath, has drawn comparisons to All Blacks legend Richie McCaw for his turnover skills and game-breaking ball-carrying ability. However, with England, his role was more subdued, focusing on lineout competition and defensive efforts.
Courtney Lawes, who understands the demands of Pepper's role, named him England's player of the autumn series, a significant compliment considering Earl's dominance in the man-of-the-match awards.
Underhill and Curry, who emerged as successors to Haskell and Robshaw, provide a powerful one-two punch for England on the open side. Their intensity in contact and at the breakdown is maintained throughout the full 80 minutes. Pollock's introduction often sees Earl shift into midfield, allowing England to finish with four back-rowers on the field.
"The game has evolved," says Robshaw. "Pollock has the speed of a winger, and it's changed the game. You've got a different style of back-rower, a different skill set. The game is constantly becoming more skilled, and players need to be fitter."
England's back-row arsenal may be missing a specialist ball-carrying No. 8, someone who can blast through defenses like Vunipola. Tom Willis, arguably the best in Europe, has made himself unavailable after deciding to leave Saracens for Bordeaux-Bégles.
Emeka Ilione, an uncapped Leicester Tigers loose forward, is the next best option. He's a force over the ball and has played much of his recent club rugby at open-side flanker, similar to Pollock and Earl.
Greg Fisilau, at Exeter Chiefs, is back in the mix as a specialist No. 8. He's bulked up and taken his game to the next level this season. Chandler Cunningham-South, who played at No. 8 against Fiji, is a versatile option but may be developing into a flat-track bully.
The future looks bright with young talents like Hoskins Sotutu, a former All Blacks No. 8 with an English mother, joining Newcastle Red Bulls and potentially playing for England in November.
England's strategic use of the bench in the autumn has reversed a trend from 2024, where they often faltered in the final quarter of matches. Borthwick has addressed this with a more thoughtful approach, including holding back Curry and Pollock.
"The biggest change in the game has been the bench," Robshaw notes.
For the opening Six Nations game against Wales, there's little reason to change the autumn quintet, unless Borthwick wants to give opportunities to Ilione or Fisilau.
Pollock is eager to start for England at No. 7 or No. 8, but this seems more likely if Borthwick can field a stronger team around him. For now, he remains an ideal impact player, a finisher, as Jones once described it, emphasizing the importance of a full 23-man squad.
Haskell and Robshaw played a specific role in that grand slam-winning team, and then passed the torch to Underhill and Curry for the 2019 World Cup.
England is already looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup. They're investing time and caps into players they believe will make an impact in Australia. With an abundance of talent in the back row, England has a bright future, especially compared to the 2016 grand slam vintage.
