England delivered a masterclass in defensive grit and attacking precision, dismantling Australia 25-7 in their Quilter Nations Series 2025 opener at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Saturday, November 22, 2025. It wasn’t just the scoreline that stunned — it was the sheer dominance of a team that looked hungry, disciplined, and terrifyingly well-oiled. The win extends England’s unbeaten run since July, following their 2-0 series triumph over Argentina, and sends a clear message: this isn’t just a team rebuilding. It’s a team redefining itself.
Defensive Machine: The Unseen Engine Behind the Victory
Behind every try, every turnover, every scrum penalty, was a wall of white shirts refusing to budge. Jamie George, England’s hooker, didn’t just play — he anchored. In just 50 minutes, he made 20 tackles, the most of any player on the pitch. That’s not just work rate. That’s relentless. RugbyPass noted his lineout perfection in the first half, though one pinched throw early in the second half reminded everyone he’s human. But what stood out was his physicality — every contact, every ruck, every shove. He wasn’t just a target; he was a weapon.
Then there was Fin Baxter. The prop, often overlooked in favor of flashier names, was a revelation. He didn’t just handle Taniela Tupou in the scrum — he neutralized him. Fifteen tackles in 50 minutes. A crucial counter-ruck that won a penalty just before halftime. That’s the kind of performance that wins games quietly. Flot Rugby gave him an 8. Rugby365 and RugbyPass? 7.5. The truth? He was worth more.
Breakthrough Stars: Pepper, Earl, and Mitchell Steal the Show
But the real story was the emergence of three players who didn’t just perform — they elevated the entire team.
Guy Pepper didn’t just play flanker. He haunted Australia’s back row. Eighteen tackles. Twelve carries for 77 meters. Four defenders beaten. Lineout option. Relentless energy. Flot Rugby gave him a 9 — and it wasn’t generous. He was everywhere. His turnover in the 58th minute sparked England’s second-half surge. The YouTube commentator called him ‘Peppa.’ The rest of the rugby world? They’re starting to call him ‘the next O’Driscoll.’
At number eight, Ben Earl looked like the heartbeat of a new England era. Taking over from the exiled Tom Willis, he didn’t just fill the role — he owned it. Line-breaking bursts. Vision. Ball-carrying that forced defenders to commit. RugbyPass rated him 8.5. Ultimate Rugby: 8. Flot Rugby: 9. He wasn’t just the best forward. He was the best player on the pitch. And when he came off after 50 minutes, Luke Candler stepped in and didn’t miss a beat. That’s depth.
And then there was Alex Mitchell, the scrum-half. Flot Rugby called him ‘world-class.’ They weren’t exaggerating. His box kicks weren’t just accurate — they were surgical. His tempo control dictated the rhythm. One carry? Pure power. But it was his presence — the way he barked orders, the way he stood tall under pressure — that lifted England. When George Ford launched a drop goal from 40 meters in the 62nd minute, it was Mitchell’s perfect clearance kick that set it up. A 9 from Ultimate Rugby? Absolutely.
The Bench That Broke Australia
England’s victory wasn’t just about starters. It was about the bomb squad. Ellis Genge came off the bench and won two scrum penalties in 15 minutes. His presence alone changed the dynamics. Will Stuart stabilized the scrum when it mattered most. Even Ollie Chessum, the lock, delivered a critical turnover that shifted momentum. Coach Steve Borthwick didn’t just rotate — he orchestrated. This wasn’t a substitution strategy. It was a psychological blow.
Australia’s Collapse: Errors, Not Just Defense
Australia didn’t lose because they were outclassed — they lost because they kept giving England gifts. Hunter Paisami’s 69th-minute blunder, a loose pass under pressure, handed England a golden opportunity. Fullback Andrew Kellaway looked shaky under the high ball from the start. Lock Jeremy Williams faded as the game wore on. Even Fraser McReight, who earned an 8, couldn’t carry the weight alone.
And yet — one bright spot: winger Harry Potter. Rated 8.5 by RugbyPass, he was the only Australian who looked like he belonged on the same field. But one shining star can’t light a whole stadium.
What This Means for England’s World Cup Campaign
This wasn’t just a warm-up. It was a statement. England now have a spine — George, Itoje, Chessum — and a spine-breaker in Earl. They have a playmaker in Mitchell. They have a warrior in Pepper. And they have a bench that can change games. Borthwick’s selection policy — blending Lions veterans with hungry newcomers — is working. The 2-0 win over Argentina was promising. This? This was proof.
They didn’t just beat Australia. They exposed them. And if this is the standard in November, what happens when the World Cup arrives next year?
What’s Next?
England face Scotland in the second leg of the Quilter Nations Series on December 6 at Murrayfield. Australia, meanwhile, head to South Africa for a brutal two-test tour in January. But the real question isn’t who they play next — it’s whether anyone can stop this England team when they’re firing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ben Earl’s performance compare to Tom Willis’s last season?
Ben Earl didn’t just fill Tom Willis’s shoes — he redefined the role. While Willis was a powerful ball-carrier, Earl brings more: vision, defensive reads, and the ability to dictate tempo from the back of the scrum. His 8.5 rating from RugbyPass and 9 from Flot Rugby suggest he’s now England’s most complete No. 8, with greater all-around impact than Willis ever had in his final season.
Why was Guy Pepper rated so highly despite being a debutant at this level?
Pepper’s 9 from Flot Rugby wasn’t about potential — it was about production. He made 18 tackles, carried 12 times for 77 meters, beat four defenders, and won a critical turnover. His work rate matched seasoned internationals, and his lineout presence was unexpected. This wasn’t a rookie lucky — it was a player ready to lead. He’s now a lock for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour.
What role did the bench play in England’s second-half dominance?
England’s bench wasn’t just a rotation — it was a tactical reset. Ellis Genge won two scrum penalties in 15 minutes, Will Stuart stabilized the set-piece, and Luke Candler injected pace at number eight. The cumulative effect? Australia’s defense, already fatigued, collapsed under the weight of fresh, aggressive replacements. Borthwick’s depth is now England’s greatest weapon.
How does Jamie George’s 20 tackles stack up historically?
Twenty tackles in 50 minutes is extraordinary for a hooker — it’s the most by any England forward in a Test since 2019, when Maro Itoje made 21. Historically, only a handful of hookers — think Courtney Lawes or Dylan Hartley in peak form — have come close. George’s combination of mobility, timing, and aggression has turned him into a modern defensive anchor, not just a set-piece specialist.
Why was Alex Mitchell rated higher than George Ford, even though Ford kicked the drop goals?
Ford’s drop goals were crucial — but Mitchell controlled the game’s rhythm. His box kicks pinned Australia deep, his tempo dictated when to attack or slow down, and his physical presence disrupted Australia’s defensive shape. One of his kicks directly set up Ford’s key drop goal. In modern rugby, the scrum-half is the conductor — and Mitchell was conducting a symphony. That’s why Flot Rugby gave him a 9.
What does this result mean for Australia’s World Cup chances?
Australia’s performance exposed serious flaws: poor decision-making under pressure, inconsistent set-pieces, and a lack of midfield cohesion. With Hunter Paisami’s error and Kellaway’s instability under the high ball, their backline looks vulnerable. If they can’t fix these issues before facing New Zealand and South Africa in early 2026, their World Cup campaign could collapse before it begins.