- Borthwick’s Six Nations squad: Fresh faces, notable absentees
- Emphasis on evolution, not revolution
- Uncertain player activations, backline transformations
It appears that none of Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad members have immediate intentions of transitioning to American football. Despite this, Borthwick’s “small p” new England Patriots still generated intriguing headlines. An uncapped trio, comprising Manny Feyi-Waboso, Chandler Cunningham-South, and Ethan Roots, along with new captain Jamie George, has sprinkled genuine intrigue throughout Twickenham’s frozen tundra.
The list of absentees from the Rugby World Cup is notably significant, with only seventeen survivors. Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, Ben Youngs, the Vunipola brothers, and Kyle Sinckler, in addition to the returning Manu Tuilagi and Tom Curry, contribute significantly to the burden of absent caps. Additional French expatriates, including Sam Simmonds, Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, and David Ribbans, have necessitated Borthwick to fill numerous gaps.
A guard change was an unavoidable consequence of the Rio Winter Olympics, but the administration has taken care not to drop the infant with the bathwater. To provide equilibrium, there exists a Dan Cole, Joe Marler, or Danny Care for each Feyi-Waboso, Chandler-South, or Roots. Borthwick consistently emphasises the concept of evolution over revolution, and his statements have proven accurate.
Player Availability and Strategic Planning
In truth, the only fit and available World Cup players who are not participating are Max Malins, Billy Vunipola, Sinckler (reportedly en route to France), and Jack Walker. This slightly dampens the atmosphere of a daring new world. Even Tuilagi is expected to return from the midpoint of the championship, whereas Curry, George Martin, and Bevan Rodd would have participated had they not been incapacitated. This is not a complete revival, even with the returns of Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alex Dombrandt, and Ben Spencer.
However, what remains uncertain is precisely how Borthwick will combine his selected personnel and what proportion of the fresh faces will be exposed to live action. For example, since 2020, Fraser Dingwall has been named to ten England squads without earning a cap. This fact is particularly illuminating. There is a possibility that the 24-year-old Saint, for whom he is also qualified, should cast in the towel and declare for Scotland if he fails to secure one this time around.
How many of the seven magnificent newcomers to Borthwick can one anticipate being activated by mid-March? Oscar Beard, a versatile centre for Harlequins, and Cunningham-South, a former member of London Irish, who was a clubmate of Beard, may require the most patience, but the remaining five players may still have a chance, contingent on the circumstances.
Positional Battles and Tactical Adjustments
Feyi-Waboso of Exeter or Tom Roebuck of Sale will vie for a substitute spot against Italy on the opening weekend. In the absence of Lawes, Curry, Martin, and Willis, Roots, another emerging Exeter player, might start on the blindside flank.
Observing the number of Northampton’s in-form backs who make their way into contention will be equally intriguing. Borthwick recognises the necessity for England’s offensive game to advance to a higher standard. He further asserts that the collective cohesion provided by Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Dingwall, the recalled Tommy Freeman, and George Furbank is crucial at the highest level.
Clearly, much also rests on who survives the final weekend of Champions Cup matches unscathed; however, England’s backline could undergo a significant transformation if the recently limping George Ford fails to perform at full capacity during the training camp in Girona the following week.
There would be an abundance of left-footed kicking options if the final lineup consisted of Marcus Smith (with his namesake Fin on the bench), Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade at 12 and 13, Freeman and Elliot Daly on the wings, Freddie Steward or the in-form George Furbank at full-back, and Feyi-Waboso on the bench.
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Pivotal Player Dynamics and Leadership
Predicated on the recovery of Marler and Ellis Genge, the pack appears to be considerably more solidified, with Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum occupying the second row and Ben Earl and Sam Underhill presumably secured for the back three. Born in Auckland, 24-year-old Roots played for Ospreys in Wales last season and is competing for the No. 6 shirt. This competition includes Alex Coles and possibly Nick Isiekwe. Borthwick and England’s national team manager, former World Cup-winning flanker Richard Hill, have taken an interest in him.
England may struggle to beat France or Ireland in March, but their new leader is optimistic and popular. George may not have been the first choice when all else was considered, but he is the ideal man for this situation: sufficiently distant from Farrell to feel like a continuity candidate, yet sufficiently distinct to offer something slightly different.
Borthwick refrained from making a firm commitment to the affable Saracen regarding the role until 2027. However, similar to his previous association with Lawes, George effortlessly induces a sense of ease in those in his vicinity. Although Alfie Barbeary’s barnstorming addition to the squad would have been preferable, England do not wish to hurry matters unnecessarily.
Three complete training sessions remain until the match against Italy, and Rome was not constructed overnight.
