Honestly, following the rugby union England squad right now feels a bit like watching a high-stakes chess match where half the pieces are being swapped out mid-game. Steve Borthwick has always been a "data guy," but his recent calls for the 2026 Six Nations have even the most seasoned Twickenham regulars scratching their heads. We’re coming off an eleven-game winning streak—which is frankly absurd given where this team was two years ago—but the injury list is starting to look like a medical textbook.
If you haven't been keeping track, Maro Itoje is still the man with the armband. After taking over the captaincy in early 2025, he’s transformed from a world-class nuisance into a genuine tactical leader. But even a titan like Itoje can't scrummage for three people at once. And that's exactly where the problems start.
The Front Row Crisis Nobody Saw Coming
You’ve probably heard about the "prop-pocalypse" by now. It’s bad. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, the Sale Sharks wonderkid who was basically supposed to be the future of English scrummaging, is out. A shoulder injury in training—just a freak contact on the ground—has sent him to surgery in Cardiff. He’s done for the tournament.
Then you’ve got Will Stuart. Ruptured Achilles.
This leaves Borthwick in a massive hole at tighthead. Joe Heyes is the "last man standing" in many ways, having played 100 games for Leicester before he could even legally rent a car in some countries. He’s solid, sure. But behind him? We are looking at Afolabi Fasogbon and Vilikesa Sela. These guys were in the U20s five minutes ago. It’s a massive gamble.
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- Joe Heyes: Now the undisputed #1 choice at tighthead.
- Fin Baxter: Also dealing with an injury niggle but expected to lead the loosehead side alongside the ever-reliable Ellis Genge.
- The Wildcards: Fasogbon has the raw power, but Test-level scrummaging is a different beast entirely.
What’s the Deal with the Back Row?
This is where things get spicy. Borthwick has basically created what some are calling a "structural weapon" on the bench. He’s got this obsession with having Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, and Henry Pollock all involved.
Pollock is the name you need to remember. He’s essentially Ben Earl 2.0 but maybe with a higher ceiling in broken play. If you've watched him for Saints, you know he’s a nightmare in the wide channels.
But then there’s the Tom Willis situation. It’s weird. Basically, Willis is moving to Bordeaux Bègles next summer, and Borthwick has essentially frozen him out. He’s been stripped of his central contract despite being arguably the best specialist No. 8 in the Premiership right now. Austin Healey called the move "childish," and honestly, it’s hard to disagree when you see the carrying stats Willis puts up.
The Fly-Half Merry-Go-Round
George Ford is the "safe" pair of hands. Marcus Smith is the "magic" man. Fin Smith is the "future."
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Borthwick's biggest headache isn't who to pick; it's how to keep them all happy. Fin Smith has a calf strain right now, which might make the decision for the opening game against Wales a bit easier. If Fin is out, expect Marcus to start with Ford coming off the bench to close the game out.
It’s a luxury problem, but it’s one that affects the whole rhythm of the rugby union England squad. Marcus Smith wants to play a high-tempo, "chaos" style. Ford wants to kick corners and squeeze the life out of the opposition. You can't really do both.
The Midfield and the "Red Roses" Effect
In the centers, Ollie Lawrence is back from a long-term layoff, which is huge. He’s the only guy we have who can consistently punch holes in a defensive line without needing a three-meter head start.
Interestingly, the men’s squad is trying to replicate some of the culture from the Red Roses. The England Women’s team just won the World Cup in September 2025, and their "reset" under John Mitchell has been clinical. They’ve moved on from legends like Abby Dow and Emily Scarratt without blinking. Borthwick is trying to do the same with the men, slowly phasing out the 2019-era veterans for kids like Noah Caluori.
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Caluori is a Saracens flyer who most people hadn't heard of six months ago. Now he’s being tipped as the "wildcard" for the Six Nations. He’s got that gear-change speed that reminds you of a young Henry Arundell.
Real Talk: Can They Actually Win the Six Nations?
Winning 11 games in a row is great. Beating France in Paris last year was a statement. But the squad depth is being tested like never before.
The "rush" defense coached by Felix Jones is exhausting. It requires 100% fitness. If the prop crisis isn't solved, or if Itoje gets a knock, the whole system could collapse. We aren't as deep as Ireland, and we don't have the individual freakishness of France's Antoine Dupont (who is back and looking terrifying).
England’s success depends entirely on the "unfashionable" players. Guys like Alex Coles and Guy Pepper. If those "glue" players can hold the fort while Marcus Smith does his thing, England are favorites. If the scrum collapses in the 60th minute against Wales or Ireland, it’s going to be a long spring.
Your Next Steps for Following the Squad
If you're trying to keep up with the 2026 campaign, don't just look at the starting XV. The real story is in the 25th to 36th men in the training camp.
- Watch the Premiership injury reports: Specifically for Fin Baxter and Fin Smith. If they aren't back by the final week of January, the Wales game becomes a massive uphill battle.
- Keep an eye on the "A" Team: Borthwick is using the England A fixtures to blood the new props (Fasogbon and Sela). Their performance there will dictate if they get a bench spot in the Six Nations.
- Check the Central Contract list: The fallout from the Tom Willis snub is still echoing. If more players decide to head to France for the big paydays, Borthwick’s selection pool is going to shrink even further.
The official squad for the Wales opener at the Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) is due Friday, January 23. That’s the moment we’ll see if Borthwick doubles down on his "ruthless" selection or if he brings back some of the frozen-out veterans to cover the injury gaps.