Steve Borthwick watches England trainingImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Steve Borthwick's England have won three of their past eight matches

ByChris JonesRugby union correspondent

With under a year to go until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the countdown is on, with just nine competitive matches for the home nations until the tournament starts in Australia next October.

But while the World Cup spectre looms large, there is plenty to play for between now and then, starting with the resumption of the inaugural Nations Championship in November.