Jamie George says England's players were "hurt" by a newspaper report of a rift with head coach Steve Borthwick in the summer, calling the timing of the article "shocking" ahead of Sunday's Nations Championship clash with Australia.

The Times reported that some England players lost faith in Borthwick during a summer campaign with included a 45-21 defeat to world champions South Africa and a nervy win over Argentina.

Speaking to Sky Sports News on Friday, hooker George, named in the starting XV to face the Wallabies this weekend, says the squad addressed the article and will use it to "galavanise" them.

The 36-year-old, who insisted England are "all massively behind Steve in every way possible" said: "I'm really disappointed with the article that's been written. There's not a huge amount of truth to any of it, really.

"I think the timing of it is shocking, to be completely honest. Releasing it two days before a Test match is always trying to be divisive, in my opinion.

"I think that we're all quite hurt. We have made sure that we aren't distracted by it, but also allowing us to be galvanised by it, in a way, because we want to defend Steve.

There was a review process, as there always is with a tour, or the Six Nations or an Autumn Nations series, like there will be in six weeks. There were really good chats in and around the environment that we want to have, the team that we want to be, the key learnings that we took away from the tour and we're a better team for it.

"We are all massively behind Steve in every way possible. I think probably, unfortunately for them, it won't be divisive and it might be quite galvanising for us."

'We have to look after Steve in every way we know how'

George continued: "We had to address it. I spoke to [captain] Maro [Itoje] last night. I don't like elephants in rooms.

"I just think that everything is much better out in the open. And we did exactly that. Maro spoke brilliantly, opened it up. George Ford then spoke brilliantly. It's done now.

"We're upset by it. We are disappointed with it.

"At the same time, we're seeing it for what it is and understanding that we've got a really important role to step up now and look after Steve in every way that we know how.

"The best way to do that is by putting out a brilliant performance on Sunday."

'Baxter one of best I have played with'

Harlequins' Fin Baxter, who has only played two games since returning from 10 months out with a foot injury, will start at loosehead prop against Australia, with George lavishing praise on the 24-year-old.

George added of Baxter: "I am going to be very careful as I don't want to give too many superlatives to Fin but I honestly think he is one of the best props I have played with.

"He is physically incredible with a baby face, which I love. He is strong. But the thing about Fin I love the most is his game-feel, his understanding.

"As a loosehead prop, there aren't many in the world that are able to do it in the way he does. He is a huge asset to our team."

After facing Australia on Sunday (3.10pm kick-off), England go on to play Japan and New Zealand on November 14 and November 21 respectively, before the Nations Championship finals weekend across November 27-29.

England XV to face Australia: 15. George Furbank; 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Seb Atkinson, 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; 10. Fin Smith, 9. Jack van Poortvliet; 1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jamie George, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Alex Coles, 6. Ollie Chessum, 7. Ben Curry, 8. Ben Earl.

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. George Martin, 20. Greg Fisilau, 21. Henry Pollock, 22. Ben Spencer, 23. Marcus Smith.

England's Nations Championship fixtures in November

All times UK

• November 8: England vs Australia (3.10pm)
• November 14: England vs Japan (4.40pm)
• November 21: England vs New Zealand (2.10pm)
• November 27-29: Finals weekend (fixtures to be confirmed)