Rugby World Cup winner Sir Clive Woodward believes that England\u2019s clash with the Springboks will give a true indication of where they stand.<\/p>\n
Steve Borthwick\u2019s men enjoyed an impressive 2025, finishing second in the Six Nations before earning a 2-0 series victory in Argentina and going through the November Tests unbeaten.<\/p>\n
That included an impressive 33-19 success over the All Blacks as they ended the year in third position in the World Rugby rankings, just behind New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Some ultimately believe that the Red Rose are currently the second-best side in the game, even if that is not yet official, but they did not face the back-to-back world champions in 2025.<\/p>\n
Springboks v England clash in July<\/p>\n
Instead, England<\/a> and the Springboks<\/a> will go head-to-head in the first round of the Nations Championship in South Africa during the mid-year internationals.<\/p>\n \u201cEngland aren\u2019t yet the finished article, even if they are now ranked third in the world behind South Africa and the All Blacks. Whatever the rankings say, I think England are the Championship\u2019s second-best team behind France,\u201d Woodward wrote in his Daily Mail<\/a> column.<\/p>\n \u201cAs such, it wouldn\u2019t be a disaster if they didn\u2019t lift the title. But what England must do is prove they can win big games away from home. That is the next step in their evolution.<\/p>\n \u201cEngland can\u2019t be considered potential World Cup winners until they have beaten big teams in their own backyard. The next World Cup is in Australia in 18 months \u2013 a long way from the comforts of Twickenham.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Nations Championship game away to double world champions South Africa on July 4 is just an awesome fixture for England. Playing the Springboks away a year out from the World Cup is exactly the sort of challenge that will show where England are.<\/p>\n \u201cGood teams win regularly at home. Great teams can win anywhere in the world. Right now, England are a very good team. They\u2019re not great yet, but they certainly can be.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam Warburton: World Rugby \u2018needs a strong\u2019 England, it \u2018benefits everyone\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Borthwick has put together a talented squad of players who could well take them into the 2027 World Cup, but there are still some selection dilemmas.<\/p>\n The head coach will have a big choice to make at centre where plenty of individuals are putting their hand up for the Six Nations.<\/p>\n Big selection calls<\/p>\n \u201cEngland have quality across the board, but now is the right time for Borthwick to start to nail his selection colours to the mast. We should be able to say what England\u2019s first-choice team is by the end of the Six Nations,\u201d Woodward wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThe area still to be sorted is the centre pairing. England have the players, but there is still confusion around who starts. I\u2019d continue with Tommy Freeman at outside centre.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve found it interesting to see Freeman there for Saints against both Bath and Harlequins. England have so many different options that Borthwick is in a fortunate position.<\/p>\n \u201cSelection will always be the No 1 skillset of any head coach, so Borthwick has to get the inside centre position right. Fraser Dingwall, Seb Atkinson and Ojomoh are all options. Ollie Lawrence is a wonderful player too and will be in the midfield equation.\u201d<\/p>\n