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Flanker Guy Pepper praised its impact EnglandAn impressive defensive display from deep in the back row kicked off their autumn season with a 25–7 win over Australia,
After conceding 42 points in a chaotic defeat to the Wallabies last November, England produced a much better performance at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The crowd was restricted to just one score.
These seven points came thanks to a 95-metre intercept effort from wing Harry Potter, but otherwise the hosts held firm throughout, even with an injury to Freddie Steward and a yellow card for Henry Pollock preventing Australia from crossing the final path with 13 men.
Pepper, making his domestic debut after earning his first England cap from the bench in Argentina in July, spent the full 80 minutes on the blindside. steve borthwick Showed his team’s excellent options in the back row.
Ben Earl was named player of the match, while Sam Underhill also had an impressive 50 minutes, before Tom Currie and Henry Pollock came off the bench to help boost the energy in an impressive final quarter as England fell behind.
Borthwick’s decision to name six forwards, The inclusion of the five British and Irish Lions on the bench proved decisive, with Pepper later explaining that it allowed those who started to empty the tank.
“If you go 6-2 [forwards to backs on the bench]It enables everyone in the forward pack to completely free up and blow themselves up,” Pepper said. “It’s a foot to pedal mentality and you have the ability to do that because you only have two forwards that are going to go 80.
“When you have a bench with five lions on it at the same time, you know you’ve got some energy coming in. I’m quite used to it, the way we do it in Bath too. [It is ] Potentially England’s ‘Bomb Squad’. The impact he made on the game was also huge, which was important to watch in that game.
England’s defense is now being looked after Richard WigglesworthBorthwick’s senior assistant coach, who has stopped attacking After becoming part of the Lions coaching staff in the summer.
The former scrum half is regarded as an excellent motivator and communicator within the camp, and made the double tackle the focus of the team’s effort to prevent Australia gaining momentum.
“We put a lot of emphasis on double man shots,” Pepper said. “Wiggy tested us this week and challenged us on that and made two-man shots. The presence of the second man is huge in terms of being able to slow the ball down and that’s what you have to be able to do in test match rugby.”
While wearing number 6, Pepper was one of five natural openside flankers within the matchday 23, giving England real depth in the position.
“That’s the beauty of the team at the moment, anyone in the back row can play seven. You have to be clever about it but we are able to surround the opposition and disrupt their ball.
“It’s just a number on your back, but more about six set pieces, so I’ve been challenged by that and I’ve got to work hard on that. I’ll take every opportunity that comes hopefully.”
England continue their Quilter Nations Series campaign against Fiji at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.