When England were battling their way to third place at the 2023 World Cup, it was a tough watch – a game plan dominated by kicking, and the captain Owen Farrell made miserable by booing from spectators.

In 2024, England’s problem was losing tight matches, one after another. This year, results have turned round, with 10 wins in a row, including a rare victory over New Zealand last weekend, and Twickenham this autumn has become a happy place again.

So as head coach Steve Borthwick’s team finish their calendar year with a stiff test against Argentina, we look at the building blocks of a transformation.

Change of captain

Eyebrows were raised when Maro Itoje took over from Jamie George this year.

George was a popular skipper, praised for his spirit and equanimity during the sad passing o

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