How Steve Borthwick's England react to another defeat will be critical with world champions South Africa up next, says rugby union correspondent Chris Jones.
Steve Borthwick's win record as England head coach stands at exactly 50%, with 13 wins from his 26 matches in charge.
The likes of Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Manu Tuilagi, Billy Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Ben Youngs, Danny Care and Jonny May - mainstays of the past decade - are no longer available. Any rebuild takes time. With the double world champions South Africa rolling into town next week, how Borthwick and England react will be critical.
Borthwick pointed to his side's loose ball-handling and contact skills as a reason why, but the constant flux in the backroom team - something Borthwick would have been desperate to avoid - cannot be helpful.While George insisted England's tactical plan is clear, the team still looks caught between two identities.
Borthwick has put his faith in Smith, but only up to a point, bringing Ford on in the final quarter in both games this November in an attempt to close the games out. But those are the margins at the highest level, and there is no coincidence the best sides in the world manage to get over the line in similar circumstances.
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