The strength of England’s bench has been questioned this year. In theory, with 13 players on duty in Australia, it should be under even more pressure.
However, England finished on the front foot in the first Test, pushing for more points rather than clinging on for victory.
It is a young set of replacements – six of the eight are 24 or under – and the experience gained at the business end of a Test series in front of a loud, away support will be priceless.
Borthwick spoke about this tour being a chance to build and reveal Test-match temperament in his youngsters. That focus may be most acute on these finishers.
Twenty-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who came under pressure in Sale’s Premiership semi-final defeat by Leicester, will relish the chance to prove himself.
Chandler Cummingham-South, who is attempting to add second row to his repertoire, needs to rediscover his rampaging best.
The broken field and tired opposition might suit the all-court skills of Theo Dan, centrally-contracted, but third choice at hooker behind Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George.
Cadan Murley is exorcising the ghosts of a difficult debut in Dublin, while Jack van Poortvliet, who would have travelled to the last World Cup as England’s first choice scrum-half but for a late injury, is pushing hard to move up the pecking order.
