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Ugo Monye believes England have the “strong foundation” of a World Cup-winning team as they prepare for their Quilter Nations Series match with Australia on Saturday.Steve Borthwick’s men face the Wallabies at Twickenham, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and former England player Monye believes the team have slowly come together to lay the groundwork to be the best in the world in the 2027 tournament in Australia.
Monye was asked to give his assessment of Borthwick’s tenure as England coach since his appointment in 2022, and told TNT Sports that while results are the most important factor for appraising the coach, he noted some other indications of progress with the team.
He said: “It’s one at the start that needed patience, but this year especially, we’re starting to see a really strong foundation. There’s so many different ways in which you can use metrics in what that looks like in success.
“Ultimately, international rugby is about winning. They’ve won their last seven. Then seeing coaches, or Richard Wigglesworth go off to the Lions, that’s success. Seeing 13 English lads going off to the Lions, that’s a massive success.”
Looking ahead to the time before the World Cup, he said that the Quilter Nations Series is a vital moment for the side, but added that the strength in depth of the squad augurs well.
“I think now is a really pivotal period,” he continued. “We’re two years away from a Rugby World Cup, the strength and depth that we’ve got with this England squad is incredible, in almost every single position. You’re thinking, ‘Who should play No. 10?’ We’ve got three world-class No. 10s, and we’ve got Owen Farrell as well. Centres, back row, front row, we look in a really good space.”
Reflecting on the summer series that saw consecutive wins over Argentina before a routine victory over the USA in Washington, DC, Monye said he wanted a continuation of that tactical approach in the games ahead.
He said: “I’d love to see the continuation of the style England employed out in Argentina. It looked electric. Electric in attack, looked so tough in defence. If we can continue with that, then I think we’re in a really good place. I think there’s a real aura of optimism around this England team.”
Moyne concluded by saying that with new additions to the coaching team and recent performances, this is a side who could triumph in Australia in two years.
He said: “For me, the only way is up. That’s how it would appear. Looking at the style, looking at the players, looking at the results, looking at the quality of the coaching.
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“Bringing in Lee Blackett, Byron McGuigan. I look at every part of it and think this is a really good England side. An England team that could go on to win a World Cup.”
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