Two losses isn't what I was hoping for, but given how rare wins in NZ are, two narrow defeats and creditable performances is probably a decent outcome.
Positive debuts for Baxter and Sleightholme and our defensive system showing signs of developing in to a real weapon are the main positives to take away, along with a couple of decent showings for Smith against good opposition. I feel a little mean saying so, but it's also a positive if Spencer has played his way out of the squad.
IMO, the starting XV picks itself for now. I would pick 14 of the side from the first test with Genge in for Marler. I know Will Stuart gets a lot of heat, but until a genuinely better option comes along, I think he is the best we have.
The back ups is where it gets a little more difficult …
Hooker
George is doing a good job as captain and remains our best hooker. However, I don't think Dan is ready to be his successor and is better used as an impact sub (a role which suits him well IMO). We need to find our next starting 2. Langdon is the obvious choice, but I also like Seb Blake. For, permitting, I'd like to see both in the squad for the AIs. I know Oghre went on tour, but honestly I don't see him as a being a genuine contender.
LCD is still conceivably young enough to be a short-medium term solution, but I think his injury record and patchy form suggests his time may have passed.
Prop
Loosehead is in a decent spot. Baxter looks like he will establish himself as Genge's deputy. I thought he had an excellent tour and should be extremely proud of how he made the step-up to test rugby. Perhaps it's also the cue for Marler to retire from test duty. With Rodd, Iyogun and Brantingham, we have a good stable of young looseheads coming through.
Tighthead remains an issue. As I mentioned above Stuart is no more than OK, but there just isn't anyone obviously challenging for his spot. Heyes and Davison are no better and AOF is too young and not helped by the apparent confusion over which side he's supposed to be playing. I have high hopes for Harper at Sale, but I think he would need a strong start to the season as first choice to be a proper contender. If Gloucester and Bath can give Fasogbon and Sela a similar ramp-up to he first team to Baxter, we could be in a much better spot later in the RWC cycle.
I'm pleased Cole got the caps record, but I feel like we need to move on now. Unless he's starting, I don't think he should have a place in the 23 and given that we need to build experience in the younger props, I'd be more inclined to bite the bullet.
Lock
Itoje and Martin pick themselves with Chessum as the back up. Coles (only as a lock) and Isiekwe are decent back ups. From a short term POV, that group doesn't really need tinkering with and even from a medium term perspective, the only real reason to look beyond them is if others like Tuima or Tizard are making a stronger case for inclusion.
Flanker
Underhill should be one of the first names on the team sheet. We almost always look better with him on the pitch. CCS is raw, but his impact as a carrier and destructive tackler make him a great asset and he has the athleticism to keep developing as a lineout forward. There's room for improvement in the back row unit, but these two should be retained as our first choice flankers IMO.
I know there are calls for Earl to play at 7 but as covered in the match thread, I just don't think that's the right move. Leave him at 8 where he's been mostly very good.
Tom Curry simple shouldn't have gone on tour. At his best, he'd absolutely be challenging for a starting spot (probably moving CCS to the bench) but he's understandably nowhere near that right now. Hopefully he'll be fit and firing come the AIs.
His brother heads up a list of good 7s, but realistically, I don't see any of these truly shaking up the pecking order any time soon. Pepper looks the best longer term bet. I'm not totally convinced by the hype around Pollock.
6 is a bit more open. Ted Hill finished the season strongly and playing in tandem with Underhill helps his case, but the fact the successive coaches haven't really fancied him at test level gives me cause for pause. He's still more than young enough to put any doubts to bed though. I really like the look of Carnduff and whether he gets in to the mix for 24/25 or later really just depends on game time at Tigers.
Number 8
Earl had a poor tour. His decision making and basics weren't at the level we've seen previously. However, he had set himself a high bar and I'd prefer to persevere with the back row we've seen over the past few games as I believe it's our best, most balanced trio right now.
You all know by now I'm a big fan of Dombrandt. I'd really like to see him paired with CCS and Underhill, just to see if my theory that he's been set up to fail in his England career so far actually holds water. I definitely see him as a better starter than replacement though so for me he's in the starting XV or not in the 23.
Mercer … same kind of goes for Dombrandt really. With the right pairing on the flanks, he could be an asset. I think he'd probably be a bit more impactful off the bench though and I wouldn't be averse to seeing him in the 20 shirt.
Barbeary will surely got a chance at some point and if he, Underhill and Hill are working well as a unit at Bath, I'd potentially transplant them all in for a game or two with Earl or CCS on the bench.
Tom Willis is very good and with Billy leaving Saracens he has the perfect chance to press his claim.
CCS could also be an option, but if he's doing well at 6 and playing there for Quins, I see more of an upside in keeping him at 6.
In summary, lots of options, but Earl remains the best bet IMO.
