Inside the team psychologist meetings that turned England into a winning machine ahead of crunch clash with All Blacks

In the first week of England's autumn campaign, Steve Borthwick's players gathered for a crucial meeting at which the presence of one man was highly significant.

It was not the head coach nor any of his senior assistants. Neither was it a member of the on-field squad. There was no external speaker or celebrity face.

David Priestley, the RFU's psychologist, was the most notable attendee as England tried to lay out a plan of how to turn narrow losses into wins. Behind the scenes, the national side have placed a great deal of importance on ensuring those on the field have total mental clarity in international rugby's big moments. Last November, England lost to all of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa by the cumulative margin of just 16 points.

The valid argument at the time was that when the pressure came on, England didn't know how to react.

They couldn't win tight games.

Now, with the team on a nine-match unbeaten run and an acid test with the All Blacks to come, a corner seems to have been turned. England can approach another New Zealand clash with quiet but real confidence.

'We're placing a big emphasis on what we're doing in our huddles,' said experienced hooker Jamie George.

'I think that's making a big difference. Our ability to come out with complete clarity when there's been a break in play and being composed allows us to be freer.

'I think we're a better team than we were 12 months ago. We haven't cracked it by any means. We've got a long way to go. We've got a process we go through.

'Sometimes, we take a breath if we have the time to. We're getting better at delivering but also hearing messages and then going out and then doing them.'

Captain Maro Itoje and head of team performance Phil Morrow have also been key figures alongside Priestley in helping England clear their previous mental battles.

In their autumn wins over Australia and Fiji so far, there have been familiar themes.

England's bench has made a big impact in both matches.

But crucially, when the heat has come on from their opposition, Borthwick's players have stayed cool. George described the Fiji win as: 'A bit of a masterclass in terms of composure.'

These are promising times for England, who celebrated downing the Pacific Islanders with a changing room visit from Radio 1's Greg James. Now, they must take their next step by beating New Zealand for the first time since 2019.

To do so, they will have to be more clinical. Every attacking opportunity must be taken.

The ongoing tidying up of the breakdown must also continue.

The All Blacks showed in Scotland how they can never be discounted. Even without the injured Jordie Barrett, they remain formidable. England must be on point at the contact area else the likes of Ardie Savea will cause havoc.

But the hurt of previous narrow losses is driving this team forward.

They have learned valuable lessons in pain and are better for it. In 2024, England lost three times to New Zealand.

Across those matches, the difference between the sides was only 10 points.

'They're all learning curves, aren't they?' said back-row Ben Earl. 'I distinctly remember after the Eden Park game being like: "We will be better for this". We have been.

'You feel battle-hardened. You've got the scar tissue to learn from those losses. They hurt at the time. They're very, very valuable lessons.'

Borthwick described England as a team that's 'growing quickly' and 'keen to learn' and there can be no doubt the side is on an upward curve. 'Next week is going to be a great assessment for us,' Borthwick admitted, looking to New Zealand. 

Full-back Freddie Steward is back fit after missing Fiji and Borthwick hopes to have wing Tom Roebuck available too. England have enviable strength in depth. Rumours of a New Zealand demise have been greatly exaggerated. But they are beatable. England must make a statement against them.

A win is far from guaranteed and a defeat would not be a disaster.

But a victory would catapult England forward at a rate of knots. It's one they are capable of.

'What a lot of teams do is sit back in awe of the All Blacks with their history and all their incredible players. It's easy to do that,' said George.

'I've probably done it in the past. We've also got to be aware we'll be back here at Allianz Stadium. We are going to do everything we can to win that game.'

Earl added: 'New Zealand are a ruthless team. The best teams are. Test rugby is brutal. You might get two chances in a game and you've got to make the most of them.

'Again, we're probably getting better at that. I wouldn't say we're anywhere near the finished article in that regard, but we're getting better.'

England scored six tries against Fiji, coming through well in the final quarter once again against an incredibly dangerous side. For New Zealand, Borthwick must consider whether to go with George Ford or Fin Smith at No 10.

It is likely Ford will return.

Where to play Tommy Freeman is also a big consideration. Freeman looked livelier on the wing against Fiji than he did in midfield versus Australia and Ollie Lawrence's Test return would have given Borthwick pause for thought. Lawrence packed plenty of punch. Whoever plays, this is England's time to put the rest of the world on notice.

A huge week awaits.