The stakes are high: England's Six Nations squad is here, and the selections are already causing a stir! Will head coach Steve Borthwick's choices lead to glory, or will they be a costly gamble? He's injected fresh blood into the team, but are these players ready for the intense pressure of international rugby? Let's dive into the details.
England has announced their squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship, and a couple of names are grabbing headlines. First up, we have the uncapped 20-year-old prop Vilikesa 'Billy' Sela. Sela's inclusion is primarily due to a string of injuries affecting the team's tighthead options. He's being brought in to provide cover in that crucial position, showcasing Borthwick's willingness to give youth a chance. Sela was part of England's 2024 Under-20 World Cup-winning side which produced a generation of outstanding prop prospects.
Then there's Greg Fisilau, the Exeter Chiefs number eight. Fisilau's selection is a direct reward for his consistently impressive performances at the club level. He'll be joining a highly competitive back row group, meaning he'll have to fight hard for his place on the field. This highlights the depth Borthwick is trying to cultivate within the squad.
And this is the part most people miss: these aren't just random picks. Borthwick seems to be strategically building for the future while addressing immediate needs. He's blending experienced players with exciting young talents, a formula that could pay dividends in the long run.
Another notable inclusion is Gloucester's second row, Arthur Clarke. Clarke, unfortunately, had his participation in last year's Six Nations cut short by injury. However, he did manage to earn his first cap for England during the summer test against the United States. His presence adds further depth to the second row options.
Northampton's uncapped Emmanuel Iyogun, who gained valuable experience starting both England A fixtures in the autumn, has also been called up. He's set to provide cover at loosehead prop, another area where Borthwick is ensuring adequate backup.
However, not everyone made the cut. Saracens' Noah Caluori and the Northampton duo of George Hendy and Ollie Sleightholme have missed out on selection for the back-three slots. Instead, Bath's speedster Henry Arundell, Harlequins' Cadan Murley, and the experienced Elliot Daly have been preferred. This decision likely reflects Borthwick's preference for a blend of pace, power, and experience in the backline. It's a tough call, and some fans will undoubtedly question the omission of these players.
Northampton's George Furbank is also included, despite having played only six matches in the last eight months due to injury. His inclusion suggests that Borthwick sees significant potential in Furbank and believes he can contribute despite his recent injury struggles.
Leicester's Adam Radwan's hopes of selection were dashed by an unfortunate leg injury. Get well soon Adam!
His Tigers' team-mate, Jack van Poortvliet, will serve as backup to Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer at scrum-half. This ensures that England has solid cover in a position that demands both skill and composure.
Adding to the complexity, there are injury concerns surrounding several key players, including centre Ollie Lawrence, wing Tom Roebuck, flanker Ben Curry, and fly-half Fin Smith. All four will undergo rehabilitation alongside the 36-strong squad in Girona in the lead-up to their tournament opener against Wales on February 7th. Loosehead prop Fin Baxter will also miss that fixture with a foot injury but is expected to return later in the campaign.
Sela will be competing with Trevor Davison to cover Joe Heyes on the tighthead side of the scrum. This battle for a place in the matchday squad will be one to watch closely.
Overall, England head coach Steve Borthwick appears to be selecting from a position of strength. His side are currently riding an impressive 11-match, year-long winning streak. But here's where it gets controversial... Is this winning streak a true reflection of England's strength, or have they simply faced weaker opposition? This is a question that will be answered definitively during the Six Nations.
Midfield, once considered an area lacking depth, now boasts a wealth of options. Seb Atkinson and Max Ojomoh are putting pressure on more established names, creating healthy competition for places in the starting lineup. This increased competition can only benefit the team as a whole.
"We've picked a squad with a good balance of experience, leadership and exciting potential," said Borthwick. "The margins in the Guinness Six Nations are incredibly fine so our aim over the coming days is to come together quickly, prepare thoroughly, and make sure we're ready to perform."
He continued, "If we prepare well and keep demanding the highest levels from one another, it puts us in the strongest possible position when the Championship begins." Borthwick's emphasis on preparation and high standards underscores his commitment to building a winning culture within the squad.
England finished second in last year's Six Nations, their best performance since lifting the trophy in 2020. This provides a solid foundation to build upon as they aim for even greater success this year.
After kicking off against Wales at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, they face a tough schedule that includes a trip to Murrayfield to face Scotland, a home game against Ireland, and away matches against Italy and France. This challenging fixture list will test England's mettle and reveal whether they truly have what it takes to compete for the title.
The full squad list is as follows:
Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby) Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Backs: Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby), Seb Atkinson ( Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
Rehabilitation in Girona: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Sela's selection is particularly interesting given the injuries to other promising props. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who would likely have been included but for a shoulder injury, is one such example. Gloucester's Afolabi Fasogbon, Sela's main competition to fill a senior vacancy, was also part of the Under-20 squad. The fact that these players are unavailable highlights the depth of talent England possesses in this position.
An Achilles tendon injury had already ruled out Bath's Will Stuart, whose impressive form last season earned him a place on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. With Stuart and Opoku-Fordjour sidelined, Borthwick has opted for the 33-year-old scrum specialist Davison and Sela's abrasive ball-carrying and mobility as possible alternatives to Heyes.
Which option Borthwick ultimately chooses for his matchday 23 will be fascinating to observe. The England coach demonstrated his tactical acumen during the autumn internationals by using his bench effectively to inject both experience and energy into the latter stages of matches.
Davison and Sela each bring a different skillset to the table. Davison offers scrummaging expertise, while Sela provides dynamism and ball-carrying ability. The question is, which attribute will Borthwick prioritize?
So, what do you think of Borthwick's squad selection? Are there any players you believe should have been included or left out? Will the blend of youth and experience prove successful, or will the injury concerns derail England's campaign? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
