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England captain Itoje targets Autumn Nations clean sweep / Photo: Glyn KIRK - AFP
NYSE - LSE
England captain Itoje targets Autumn Nations clean sweep
England captain Maro Itoje has challenged his side to achieve a clean sweep of four Test wins in November as they set out on the road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
First up for England are resurgent World Cup hosts Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, with Itoje's men then hosting Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.
The clash with the All Blacks is the stand-out fixture on November 15, but Fiji won on their last visit to Twickenham in 2023, while Argentina have shown they can beat the world's best sides.
"There's not a team we're playing who we can't beat," said Itoje. "We want to go and win all our games. Every player should definitely aspire to that. Our fans should expect us to have the same mindset.
"The All Blacks are always tough. Whenever you get a result against them it's a big deal and that's within our capability. But first we have Australia in front of us and that's our immediate focus."
Itoje was also the captain of the British and Irish Lions side that won 2-1 in Australia this year.
Having led the Lions to a series victory, Itoje's focus is now on global glory with England.
"Particularly for guys at the top, the four-year cycles are split into two and two. You want to be part of the Lions tour and then part of the World Cup," he said.
"As a squad and as individuals, we want to do really well in 2027. But in order for us to do that and have the best chance, we have these really important games in the build-up.
"You don't just rock up to a World Cup and win."
England need no reminding of the threat posed by Australia after Max Jorgensen's last-ditch try sealed a 42-37 win for the Wallabies at Twickenham 12 months ago.
Australia also overturned a 22-point deficit to defeat South Africa at the world champions' Ellis Park fortress in a Rugby Championship match in August.
Recalling the Lions series in Australia, Itoje said: "When you play three games against someone back-to-back you tend to pick up trends and what they're about.
"Australia are a tough team. Their physicality, when you watch it you don't notice it but their players really do look to lay down a marker physically.
"They're a well-coached and well-drilled team. It seems like they have a real clear identity and a vision of how they want to play."
S.Belanger--SMC
