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England don’t just beat Australia, they make a point, and we can’t ignore what that says about where this team is going. After a week off the pod, we’re back to break down a record-setting win on Remembrance Sunday, with the Ella-Mobbs Trophy on the line and a performance that finally looks sharp, connected and properly modern. The big difference for us is the all-round balance: quick ball at the breakdown, real physical edge up front, and backs playing with confidence rather than caution.
We dig into the key on-field calls and the players who make it sing. Henry Slade puts in a world-class shift and shows why England need centres who can defend and play, Fin Smith steers things with calm control, and Ben Earl somehow finds another gear when he pulls on the white shirt. Up front, Maro Itoje looks like a menace again, and we talk through why the lock and back-row balance matters so much when England want tempo. Then we get into the selection curveball: Henry Pollock ending up on the wing off a 6-2 bench, scoring two winger’s tries, and what a better side might do to test that plan.
We also zoom out to the bigger rugby stories: players building public profiles through YouTube, Twitch and podcasts, the rumblings about Welsh regions joining the English domestic league system, and Wasps hinting that something is brewing. Finally, we look at England A, who looks test-ready, and what England should do against Japan with injuries starting to bite as the Nations Championship rolls on.
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"S3 Ep 07 - Slade Shines, Pollock Flies & England Rise" is an episode of Rucks, Mauls & Oval Balls. Runtime 56 min. Published November 10, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
