England head coach Steve Borthwick has called for a major change to Premiership rugby just seven days before his side face Australia at Twickenham.
Borthwick wants the league to rethink its bonus-point system, believing the current rules place too much emphasis on attack.
The 47-year-old believes English clubs should follow the French Top 14, where teams must score at least three more tries than their opponents to earn an attacking bonus point.
It would be a major change from the current system, which awards a bonus point to any team scoring four tries, regardless of the result.
Why Borthwick wants the change
Speaking to The Guardian, Borthwick made his position clear.
"My view on the bonus-point structure is that it shouldn't be the way it is," he said.
"I think the evidence says it should follow the Top 14, which makes defence important right until the 80th minute."
Under the existing rules, a team can concede six tries, score four of their own and still collect a bonus point.
In France, that would not be enough.
Borthwick believes the change would encourage teams to defend until the final whistle.
The system has already been adopted by the Champions Cup and England's second-tier Champ.
England's discipline concerns
Borthwick's comments come as England prepare for their Nations Championship opener against Australia.
His side have received 14 yellow cards and one red during 2026, leaving discipline high on his list of concerns.
"The best players are smart and the best players adjust," Borthwick said.
He also believes there is a gap between the way Premiership matches are refereed and what players experience at Test level.
England must now make that adjustment before facing the Wallabies.
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Australia clash looming
England face Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday, 8 November.
Borthwick already faces several selection headaches after three Northampton Saints players suffered injury setbacks.
Alex Mitchell limped off against Gloucester on Saturday, while Fin Smith and Archie McParland also missed the match.
The injuries have added to the pressure on England ahead of a crucial autumn campaign.
There are also calls for Borthwick to look beyond his current squad, with Joe Cokanasiga among the players pushing for an England recall.
England face Japan and New Zealand after Australia, giving Borthwick three major Tests before the end of the year.
But the England boss clearly believes changes are needed beyond the international set-up.
Pick Your England XV for the Autumn Internationals
Steve Borthwick faces some huge selection calls ahead of England's Nations Championship campaign, but who would make your starting XV?
With injuries mounting and several players pushing for a recall, competition for places is heating up ahead of the clash with Australia.
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