Steve Borthwick is urgently looking for the next generation of props

• The guests once again struggled against a dominant New Zealand team
• Borthwick said England needed to “develop further in the tighthead area” if they wanted to progress

Steve Borthwick will launch an urgent mission to get the next generation of impressive England props on the fast track after scrum problems led to a 2-0 series defeat to New Zealand.

On the morning after his team’s 17-24 defeat at Eden Park, the national coach identified set-piece situations as an area of ​​considerable concern.

The visiting side struggled again as the All Blacks exploited their dominance in this crucial area, and Borthwick will have to wait and see whether Dan Cole, aged 37, wants to continue playing at Test level knowing his front-row line-up has become chronically unbalanced.

“The English team has changed from a traditionally very big, powerful team to a younger, more dynamic team,” said Borthwick.

“We need to get some players through there. We clearly need to develop the tighthead position. That’s an area we need to keep an eye on. You saw yesterday that the scrum was under pressure, so that’s an area we need to improve.”

“I will speak to Coley in due course and see what he wants to do. But we clearly need to find more tightheads. If you look at the loosehead side – the guys who weren’t here; Ellis Genge, Beno Obano… Joe Marler missed the last Test, Fin Baxter, Bevan Rodd – we have competition.

“We don’t quite manage that on the other side of the scrum. That will be a big development project for me and Tom Harrison (England’s scrum coach).”

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Borthwick gave a pointed response to the impact of Bath tighthead Will Stuart, adding: “Outside the scrum he did a lot of things very well.” England know they cannot compete with the world’s best teams unless they have more power at set pieces.

The head coach now faces the question of whether to continue to field the likes of Leicester’s Stuart and Joe Heyes or to call upon a number of young players in the U20s team. Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour can play on either side of the front row, while Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester) and Billy Sela (Bath) could also challenge for the Test No.3 shirt in due course.

Cole has provided vital stability, continuity and experience since Borthwick brought him back from his Test career, but he must now consider whether he wants to continue playing.

Asked about his future, he said: “I don’t know, we’ll see. Like I told Steve, I live day by day. If I can keep up the training, I’ll keep going the next day and take it day by day. So, we’ll go home and see.”

Borthwick, meanwhile, admitted he also faces a selection dilemma later this year over the choice of No. 10. Marcus Smith wore the coveted jersey in all three Tests this tour, but George Ford is expected to be available around the autumn and the head coach is still thinking of him, albeit with both Smiths – Marcus and Fin.

“When George Ford is fully fit, we have three incredible links,” said Borthwick. “He’s world class and I thought his performance in the Six Nations was exceptional. Marcus has done some really good things when you see his ability to see space, break down a defence and create tries.”

“There’s not a lot of space. We’ve played New Zealand twice and both games ended with two tries per team, so it’s important we have a bit of brilliance to create a chance. At the start of the season I want the players to play really well and get into the autumn series. With the three of them – Fin Smith, George Ford and Marcus – we’re in a pretty enviable position.”