Itoje 'over the moon' after England dominate Australia

England captain Maro Itoje expressed his delight after his team's commanding 45-22 victory over Australia in their opening match of the November Nations Championship at Twickenham on Sunday. The game marked a significant improvement for England, as they surpassed their previous highest score of 44 points against Australia in a 44-40 win in Sydney in 2016.

Itoje's team achieved the feat through seven tries, with Henry Pollock scoring two after replacing the injured wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso at half-time. The final tally was the most points England had managed in a Test against Australia, highlighting a significant upgrade from their previous struggles in the sport.

This victory provided much-needed relief to England coach Steve Borthwick, who had been under pressure following his side's five losses in their last eight tests in 2026. Itoje also addressed concerns about the team's environment, dismissing reports of a 'toxic' atmosphere fueled by Borthwick's management style. He emphasized the need to set a benchmark against the Wallabies ahead of the projected quarter-final at the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Australia.

England's dominance was evident throughout the match, with Jamie George, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, and Jack van Poortvliet also scoring tries. Itoje praised his team's progress and talent, stating that they were starting to utilize their abilities effectively. However, he acknowledged that the team still had work to do to reach their full potential.

In contrast, Australia struggled to gain momentum in the game, managing only one try in the opening period. The Wallabies' captain, Harry Wilson, attributed their poor performance to their inability to establish themselves early in the match. Australia's defense was also criticized for being too passive, allowing England to control the game and limit their scoring opportunities.