Johnny Sexton to make dramatic return to Ireland set-up?

Similarly, I’m super happy for George Ford, who has definitely (re) elevated himself back into the mix. In fact, I’d go so far to say that the current pecking order is Ford, F. Smith, M. Smith.

Looking ahead to the AIs, I’d really like to see Borthick get the center pairings dialed in. Not sure when Lawrence is back, but in Ojomoh and Atkinson (+ assorted other youngsters like Ma'asi-White) England do finally have some options coming through.

This is why I brought up EDG, because what you can get out of him allows you to bring Newell for his high work rate (along with other strong carriers on the bench), which I think was really important this series.

Skill wise I think EDG has enough upstairs to throw those no look passes, but even if he’s able to come on fresh and display those, for me he is just far too slow a threat carrying the ball to make his passing skills count. He needs to draw more defenders into his carries. So that to me means (this is using the idea he has been surpassed as the starting prop) he needs to lose a few kegs (let Newell win late game scrum penalties) and work on his explosive power. I’m just not sure his natural makeup has the necessary twitch fibers.

At hooker, its obviously been a decent summer for Cowan-Dickie and George, and while it would have been nice to see Dan, or Oghre, or Langdon, do a little bit more to lay claim to the shirt, George’s continued form perhaps suggests he will be able to carry on until 2027, and the need for a successor can be postponed.

At second row, it does still seem like there’s a bit of a gulf between Itoje, Chessum, Martin, and the rest, but for the first time in a while, there look to be international standard players on both sides of that gulf.

At centre, Seb Atkinson’s breakthrough is as gratifying as it was predictable. It is a shame though, that we haven’t had the chance to see him work alongside Lawrence (or Dingwall, for that matter). I have my doubts about Northmore, but he’s really taken his opportunity, and might be the best option for the autumn tests.

At fullback, England have amazing depth, with Furbank, Daly, & Steward, but none of them are close to the level of Keenan or Kinghorn. De Glanville might be worth a look if Borthwick wants to roll the dice on someone else.

In just a few games he’s gone from being very much an also-ran - only included in England squads because Cole is past it, Sinckler is in France, and Fasogbon & Sela need more premiership experience - to being England’s form tighthead. Given Stuart and Opoku-Fordjour have hardly been out of form recently, that makes tighthead a pretty solid position for England.