Ex-England winger Ugo Monye believes a siege mentality will fire Borthwick's side up for the Wallabies, provided Itoje keeps tempers in check.
When a former England winger of Nigerian heritage tells you which way a Test is leaning, the diaspora is shaping the conversation. Ugo Monye, now one of the sharpest analytical voices in the game, says England's autumn opener against Australia has swung in their favour. His reasoning is that Steve Borthwick's men feel cornered.
Monye argues that this is when England tend to be at their best. Borthwick's tenure has been marked by performances from a group with something to prove, and this squad arrives with exactly that chip on its shoulder. Monye admits he was nervous about the fixture at the start of the week. He is far less so now.
He points to the Six Nations clash with France as the blueprint. England did not win it, but Monye rates it the best display of their campaign by a distance. He expects the same siege mentality here, with the players keen to show real unity. That kind of collective purpose can galvanise a side, and Monye sees it as a major reason to back the hosts.
There is a warning attached. Maro Itoje has to make sure the emotion driving his team does not boil over into indiscipline, because fired-up sides can easily tip into reckless ones. The breakdown battle will also be pivotal. If England channel that edge into controlled aggression at the ruck, Monye believes they can dictate the contest and start the autumn with a statement.
