England Rugby Round-Up: Quilter Nations Series Review & Six Nations Preview 

England wrapped up an impressive autumn with a clean sweep in the 2025 Quilter Nations Series, winning all four fixtures against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina. The November block offered England a valuable opportunity to build cohesion, test combinations and measure themselves against a wide variety of styles heading into a crucial Six Nations campaign. Here’s a round-up of each match, and what the results might mean for the months ahead. 

England 25–7 Australia – A Confident Start 

England opened the series with a highly composed 25–7 victory over Australia on 1 November 2025. The performance showcased England’s organisation and discipline, particularly in defence, where they restricted the Wallabies to a single try. Their control at the set-piece and accuracy off the tee allowed them to build scoreboard pressure throughout the match. 

It was a strong foundation on which to begin the series, signalling a team comfortable with its systems and increasingly poised under Steve Borthwick’s guidance. 

England 38–18 Fiji – Power and Precision 

A week later, England continued their momentum with a 38–18 win over Fiji. The match demonstrated England’s ability to manage a side known for its flair and physicality. Strong set-piece execution and tactical kicking ensured England controlled territory and tempo, gradually pulling away on the scoreboard. 

While Fiji posed threats with their trademark offloads and broken-field running, England’s structure held firm, and their second-half composure ensured a comfortable margin of victory. 

England 33–19 New Zealand – A Landmark Victory 

One of the standout results of the entire autumn campaign came on 15 November, as England defeated New Zealand 33–19. Any victory over the All Blacks is significant, and England delivered a disciplined, intelligent display to secure it. It marked England’s first victory over New Zealand at Twickenham since 2012, and their only triumph against the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup.

England were excellent defensively and effective in transition, capitalising on pressure moments while limiting New Zealand’s scoring opportunities. The win continued to build belief within the squad and provided one of the clearest signs yet of England’s progress under Borthwick. 

England 27–23 Argentina – A Hard-Fought Finish 

England closed the series on 23 November with a 27–23 victory over Argentina. In a competitive match shaped by physical battles and momentum swings, England’s game management proved decisive. Their kicking strategy, improved discipline and control of key phases allowed them to maintain a narrow but consistent lead. 

The Pumas pushed hard in the closing stages, but England handled the pressure well to complete an unbeaten autumn, a strong statement heading into 2026. 

Looking Ahead to the Six Nations 

With a perfect return from the Quilter Nations Series, England now shift their focus to the 2026 Six Nations Championship. The autumn window offered promising signs: improved defensive organisation, solid set-piece accuracy and a squad increasingly comfortable with its identity. 

However, the Six Nations presents a different type of challenge. Matches come in rapid succession, atmospheres are intense, and the tactical demands vary sharply from week to week.  With confidence rising and combinations strengthening, England enter the tournament in one of their most promising positions in recent years. 

• England v Wales – Saturday 7 February 2026
• Scotland v England – Saturday 14 February 2026 
• Wales v France – Sunday 15 February 2026 
• Wales v Scotland – Saturday 21 February 2026 
• England v Ireland – Saturday 21 February 2026 
• Scotland v France – Saturday 7 March 2026 
• Wales v Italy – Saturday 14 March 2026 

Book ICON for the 2026 Six Nations now and experience England taking on rugby’s biggest nations in style. From gourmet dining and complimentary bars to unrivalled views of the action, Engage guarantees an unforgettable day of sport and sophistication. 

How England Compare to Their Rivals 

Ireland continue to set the standard in European rugby. Their structure, accuracy and depth have made them the benchmark across recent Six Nations cycles. A trip to Dublin always represents one of the toughest tasks in the championship, and England will need a complete performance to challenge them. 

France, meanwhile, remain unpredictable but dangerous. Their blend of athleticism, creativity and home support makes them a genuine contender every year. England will be wary of their ability to produce moments of brilliance, particularly in the tightest matches. 

Scotland have built a resilient and attack-minded side capable of troubling any opponent, especially at Murrayfield. Wales are in a phase of transition but remain tactically astute and highly competitive in Cardiff. 

Against this backdrop, England’s unbeaten autumn is an encouraging sign. While they may not enter the Six Nations as outright favourites, they have shown enough progress to believe they can challenge for the title, and perhaps push Ireland and France closer than in recent years. If they can combine their autumn composure with sustained attacking variety, England could be one of the major stories of the 2026 championship.

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