Eddie Jones’s rampant England rugby side are benefiting from the experience in their ranks and have the potential to emulate the team that won the 2003 World Cup, according to former captain and coach Martin Johnson.
Victory over Australia on Saturday in their final autumn international would stretch England’s winning run to 14, equalling the record set by Johnson’s side.
They are the only unbeaten nation in the world this year.
“You’ve got a group now who have been around for a couple of World Cups, and have got a lot of caps,” Johnson, who was head coach from 2008 to 2011, told the BBC.
“Players like Ben Youngs and captain Dylan Hartley have 50 caps-plus, so they are getting into the part of their careers when they are at their peak.”
Scrumhalf Youngs and hooker Hartley, who was made captain by Jones, were both handed their international debuts by Johnson.
Australian Jones took over with England’s fortunes at a low ebb after being knocked out of their home World Cup in the pool stages last year.
They have since completed a Six Nations grand slam and a series whitewash in Australia before wins over South Africa, Fiji and Argentina over the past month.
“They have had some disappointments like we all do, and you either fall away or use them to motivate yourself,” Johnson, added. “I hope they are enjoying what they are doing.
“When you are winning it does create that momentum of good fun and everyone wants to be in the group.
“We still need more players to come through and really hit that world-class level, and when you have a squad of 20-plus guys like that, you have a chance to really do something.”
With a British and Irish Lions tour of world champions New Zealand next year, Johnson hopes England will provide a sizeable contingent in Warren Gatland’s touring party.
“It’s a Lions year and it would be great to see a whole chunk of Englishmen go on that tour,” he said.
adastra32
Guest
It seems like a photo finish on that one....
Goatee
Guest
Chook - Ha ha yes! They are indeed... and on Saturday I have an uneasy feeling that our run is about to come to an end. Methinks the side selected by Cheika will prevail against an ENG side missing so many key players. However, I still anticipate a cracking game!
Machooka
Roar Guru
C'mon Goatee... this Aus side one against Wales, Scotland and France. They are Mitch improved methinks.
Goatee
Guest
'England have only one so many matches because they beat the rest of the NH in the last 6 Nations, then an Aus side... Fiji... SA...' Top analysis, Davo! Clearly, you're one to look out for...
Davo
Guest
Eng wouldn't best NZ and they won't beat Aus this weekend either. Eng are Mitch improved but still a bit blunt and one dimensional in attack. This weekend the natural order of things will be restored and Aus will put the best of the Norrhern Hemisphere back in their place. England have only one so many matches because they beat the rest of the NH in the last 6 Nations, then an Aus side much weaker than we are now, Fiji, a really weak SA side....England aren't that good. We'll prove that this weekend!
Kiwi in US
Guest
Good on you England. What a difference 12 months can make. If they win Bill in 2019, the heart ache of 2015 and the turn around of 2016 will be given just credit. But in the here and now they are going like gangbusters, so good on em. I bought my WC final ticket from an Englishman whom had one extra. He was first in line to pick up tickets at twickers that morning. There were several scalpers around. All he wanted was to sell it to someone who would go and watch the game. He didn't want any more than face value, but I put an extra fiver on it and said the next pint was on me. It was all the cash I had left in my wallet. The credit card took a thumping afterwards. In any event, England were a broken team and their supporters were at the lowest I had ever seen, so now if they are charging, that's great.
Goatee
Guest
Chris - 'Bonus'? No. It would be a terrific game. Not 'good enough' to beat them yet? Definately not with our EOYT 23... and probably not with our top team but IMO it would be close.
Goatee
Guest
OB - I agree... and EJ's mantra is seemingly all about the necessity for improvement. I don't think the team will be allowed to rest on its laurels and if individuals are tempted to do so, they'll be challenged or discarded.
CUW
Guest
He is being politically correct in an interview - nothing more , nothing less. if people want to put their own spin or see insinuations in between the lines , that is their thing :)
Chris
Guest
Correct. It's all about progress and nothing else. It's a bonus they aren't playing NZ this year, they're a decent side but they aren't ready for them yet, they aren't good enough.
Chris
Guest
Jones has been quick to acknowledge the importance of what Lancaster did. 2019 was always the main target given the horrible mess England were in, to some extent the World Cup disaster was exacerbated by having made progress so much faster than expected.
JimmyB
Guest
Why is he counting his chooks? I must have missed something in this article.
JimmyB
Guest
Do you struggle with reading comprehension or are you simply wilfully ignorant?
Old Bugger
Guest
The way I see it is their praises deserve, to be sung, considering where they were this time last year, compared to now. I don't think at this early stage in an RWC cycle that this string of successes matters except that these are, successes. The important aspect is to realise that while they may lose a couple or a packet of games, it is the losses that reinforce a team's character and how the team then overcomes, those losses and learn the lessons. If lessons are learned after losses are suffered, then this side should be able to move on with a greater conviction. Heck, that's exactly how the ABs have managed to place themselves at the top of the ladder - they've learned and improved from each loss so, I can't see any reason why EJ wouldn't be able to take this team upwards and onwards.....unless, his players think they don't need to learn anymore but, I doubt that. I can't explain it but in my books, this ENG side deserves the praises - now the challenge is, continuous improvement even when, you lose.
righteous
Guest
Is this the year that england would've reaped the harvest that lancaster had sown over the previous 4 years any way. I know we'll never know but I think it should be considered, the world cup came a year too early for england. The improvement from last year to this with basically the same players is too great to be put down to the change of coach alone.
mania
Guest
I have major respect for Johnson as a player. but he's counting his chooks early. this year is the most meaningless in any WC cycle. someones gotta tell these guys that nows not the time to peak as the ABs have shown over the 20 year WC drought period
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Wow the gloating has already started....given his impeccable credentials as a Coach of England - no doubt everyone in England will be howling with delight....NOT!!