Steve Borthwick isn't exactly known for being a wild card. He likes data. He likes systems. He likes a kicking game that makes some fans want to pull their hair out. But look closely at the england rugby union team players being called up for the 2026 Six Nations and you'll see something actually shifted. The "old guard" is still there, sure, but the scent of a new cycle is all over the place.
Honestly, the era of the "un-droppable" veteran is dying. It's about time, too.
The Fly-Half Headache That Won't Go Away
George Ford is still kicking around, literally. He’s closing in on his century of caps, and Borthwick clearly values that "quarterback" brain of his. But the real noise is coming from the two Smiths. Marcus Smith is box-office—we know this. He’s the guy who tries the thing no one else dares, which is why he gets stuck at full-back half the time just to get him on the pitch.
Then you’ve got Fin Smith. He's basically Owen Farrell 2.0 but with a bit more zip. Many experts, including those over at Planet Rugby, reckon he’s the heir apparent because he doesn't just play the system; he owns it. It’s a weird dynamic. You've got three guys who all deserve to start, and yet, none of them feel like the "permanent" owner of the number 10 shirt yet.
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The Physical Freaks and the Back-Row Scramble
If you want to know why England has an 11-game winning streak right now, look at the loose forwards. Ben Earl is still the engine room's heartbeat. He carries like a man possessed. But the real excitement—kinda the "new shiny toy" of the squad—is Henry Pollock.
Pollock is only just getting his feet wet at Test level, but his stats are ridiculous. He’s beating defenders at a rate that makes him look more like a winger than a back-rower. Combine him with Chandler Cunningham-South, who is essentially a human wrecking ball, and you start to see a very different England. They aren't just trying to out-kick you anymore; they’re trying to run through you.
- Maro Itoje: Still the captain, still the first name on the sheet. He's the glue.
- Ollie Lawrence: Finally back from injury and looking like the world-class center we all knew he could be.
- Fin Baxter: The Harlequins loosehead is rapidly making the number 1 jersey his own while Ellis Genge plays the "impact sub" role.
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: The guy is a freak of nature. He doesn't just run; he explodes.
The "Pom Squad" and the Front Row Evolution
Losing Will Stuart to an Achilles injury was a massive blow for the scrum. It’s the kind of thing that keeps Borthwick up at night. But it’s opened the door for Joe Heyes. Heyes has been around forever—it feels like he’s been 22 for five years—but he’s finally matured into a genuine Test starter.
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Behind him, keep an eye on Asher Opoku-Fordjour. He can play both sides of the scrum, which is basically a superpower in modern rugby. He’s currently nursing an injury, but once he’s back, he’s going to be a nightmare for any tired prop in the last twenty minutes.
The Midfield and the Hybrid Experiment
Fraser Dingwall is the "connective tissue." That's how people describe him. He’s not the biggest, he’s not the fastest, but he makes the guys around him better. However, the RFU has been pushing hard for Benhard Janse van Rensburg to get his chance. He’s a South African-born powerhouse who offers something England has lacked: a secondary playmaker with the size of a loose forward.
And don't forget the back three. Tommy Freeman is probably the most versatile player in the country right now. One week he’s at 13, the next he’s on the wing, and he’s arguably the form player in the Premiership.
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Why the 2026 Nations Championship Matters
Everything right now is a warm-up for the new Nations Championship debut in July. England has been handed a "nightmare" start, facing a brutal travel schedule and the best of the Southern Hemisphere. It’s going to be a baptism of fire for guys like Noah Caluori, the Saracens youngster who everyone is tipping for a debut this year.
If these kids can handle a trip to Paris or a collision with a Springbok pack, England might actually be onto something special for the 2027 World Cup.
Next Steps for Following the Squad:
- Track the Premiership form: Watch how Henry Pollock and Asher Opoku-Fordjour handle the final rounds of the Champions Cup; it’s the best indicator of who Borthwick will trust in the starting XV.
- Watch the "6-2 split": Pay attention to the bench selection for the Wales game on February 7th; if Borthwick goes with six forwards, it confirms he’s leaning into the "structural weapon" strategy to bully teams late in the game.
- Monitor the 10-15 axis: Keep an eye on whether Marcus Smith is used as a tactical sub at full-back or if George Furbank maintains the starting role to provide more stability under the high ball.