Australia and their old foes both have losing Test records in 2024 and meet at Twickenham needing the boost from a big scalp as much as bragging rights

In any sport, at any time, at any venue, “Australia versus England” doesn’t need hyperbole to be compelling. The nations share an unwritten, unspoken enmity that creates its own drama, and when the two teams run out at Twickenham this weekend, it all goes on the line for two proud fanbases desperate for bragging rights.

But with both sides holding a 4-5 win-loss record in 2024, they meet as “nearly-men” of world rugby. Each has claimed big scalps. England beat Ireland in March, Australia defeated Argentina in September. Yet both sides choked against the All Blacks and lost winnable Tests by a kick, England going down 24-22 last week and Australia falling short 31-28 in the first Bledisloe Test.