Steve Borthwick hails energy and impact of Henry Pollock against Australia

England head coach Steve Borthwick was delighted with the energy brought by Henry Pollock after seeing the back-row sensation run in a crucial try against Australia.

The Wallabies were dispatched 25-7 at Allianz Stadium with the introduction of England’s heavyweight bench, which included five British and Irish Lions forwards arriving en masse in the 52nd minute, proving decisive.

Pollock was the first to make an impact when he showed superb hands to gather a loose ball before racing clear and recovering from an ankle tap to fall over the line.

It was the 20-year-old’s third Test try in two replacement appearances and crucially it propelled his side 15-7 ahead at a point when they game was finely poised.

“Everybody’s excited when Henry Pollock gets on to the pitch because of what he brings, there’s no doubt about that,” Borthwick said.

“He’s probably the most excited person! The way he is and the energy he brings – he’s a ball of energy.

“I love having that character in the squad. We’ve got a great blend of personalities developing within the team.”

Fiji are the next visitors to Twickenham in the second of November’s four Tests and Borthwick admitted the performance of his replacements will make team selection trickier next week.

“The bench certainly had a positive impact. It’s a sign that the squad is building in depth,” Borthwick said.

“It was an important summer for English rugby with a number of players away with the Lions, who were successful down in Australia, as well as a number away in Argentina and America with England.

“It’s enabled the squad to grow and that’s pleasing. It means I’ve got some difficult decisions to make. It’s the exact decisions you want as a head coach.”

England should have been out of sight by half-time but they wasted a series of chances, including Joe Heyes and Ben Earl being held up over the line.

“There were a big number of line breaks out there and that was a step forward. Finishing them off was not quite our strength though,” Borthwick said.

“With the amount of rain that came down today and overnight, the pitch was really greasy and that was a contributory factor as well.

“We made some tactical switches during the game to find ways to win – that tells me the team is thinking their way through a game.”

Full-back Freddie Steward suffered a hand injury but Borthwick was unable to provide an update on his fitness.

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt admitted the introduction of England’s reinforcements swung the match in the hosts’ favour.

“It was very tough and there were a few lessons out there. We’re all disappointed,” Schmidt said.

“England’s bench really made a difference because of the intensity and physical combat they brought. Until that time the game was in the balance.

“Six British and Irish Lions on the bench – that’s strength in depth. England were very, very good, but it wasn’t like we were utterly outplayed.”

Schmidt described England’s decision to draw the match officials’ attention to alleged illegal breakdown tactics by Australia in the build-up to the game as “a bit of gamesmanship”.

“I always find those things disappointing, but not distracting,” Schmidt added.