Steve Borthwick has put his England stars on a World Cup countdown ahead of a crunch autumn – and revealed he hopes No10 Fin Smith will be fit for his team’s campaign opener.

Next month's Nations Championship clashes against Australia, Japan and New Zealand, before the finals weekend on November 27-29, take place less than a year out from the 2027 World Cup. Borthwick has admitted that means the onus is on his players to perform now or risk missing out on selection for the tournament Down Under. 

Borthwick is sweating on the fitness of star playmaker Smith to face Australia a week on Sunday, as he continues to recover from a calf injury suffered in action for Northampton against Leicester.

‘We’ve got 12 Tests to the World Cup,’ Borthwick said. ‘There are 10 Tests until I name the 33-man squad. There are nine Tests until I name the World Cup training squad.

‘This series of games is the last opportunity we have playing southern hemisphere opposition before we’re at that World Cup. I’m looking forward to seeing players compete and perform against this calibre of opposition. You start looking at the squad and think people are fighting for places to be in that World Cup. I think the lads are excited by that.’

Borthwick oversaw the worst Six Nations campaign in England's history at the start of this year. A fifth-place finish heaped the pressure on the former second row, but he was backed by the RFU and his contract was extended to the 2028 Six Nations.

Too often these days, international rugby coaches are reticent to admit their teams have to win or that players must deliver to avoid being dropped. Instead, they blather on about being on a ‘journey’ where it is the level of ‘performance’ and not the result that matters.

Such rhetoric has become painful and unnecessary, and Borthwick's comments were a refreshing shot in the arm. The 47-year-old has effectively put his players on trial. The message was obvious – if you don’t perform now, you won’t be on the plane to Australia.

Hallelujah! That is exactly what this England team needs. For too long, the country’s leading players have been allowed to underperform as a collective without any real risk of jeopardy. That, thankfully, now seems to be at an end.

England’s stars need to know that failure to deliver must come with consequences. It might be a stretch to say England’s environment has become too comfortable, but the players will be all the better for being put on their toes. Borthwick’s messaging will also be music to the ears of the likes of Northampton’s George Hendy, who missed out on selection and must consider himself unlucky to do so.

Borthwick’s hopes for a fast autumn start haven’t been helped by the setback to Smith, who hasn’t trained with England this week. ‘He has made good progress over the past couple of days and we are hopeful of his availability for the Australia Test,’ Borthwick said of Smith.

‘But that remains unclear at this stage. With calf injuries in particular, you monitor those closely. I'll be assessing that right at the start of the week, but all the news we've got so far is very positive. If Fin’s not available for selection, we have some quality fly-halves in George Ford and Marcus Smith available also. So, we're in a positive position.’

Borthwick confirmed on Tuesday that Bath flanker Guy Pepper (ankle) and Bristol centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg (concussion) won’t play any part this autumn. 

Wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso should be fit for Australia after a hamstring problem. Daily Mail Sport understands he is set to be involved for Exeter against Harlequins on Saturday.

Pepper’s absence is a blow to Borthwick as the 23-year-old has established himself as a key member of the set-up. Bath were hit by a double blow on Tuesday as they also confirmed their Argentina full-back Santi Carreras will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

A defining autumn awaits Borthwick and his squad. England must beat Australia, regardless of whether Smith is fit or not, take down Japan and at the very least push New Zealand all the way. It is more than feasible for them to beat the All Blacks, as they did this time last year at Twickenham against a weaker touring side.

England might have fitness issues, but they can cover for Smith and Pepper. They have a strong squad with good depth. As Borthwick pointed out, even if Smith doesn’t make it for the Wallabies he has fine alternatives in namesake Marcus and George Ford. Henry Pollock or either Tom or Ben Curry can cover for Pepper. 

It’s time England’s players delivered. Now, at last, Borthwick has admitted it too.

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