Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
England face selection questions and injuries before World Cup year
England coach Steve Borthwick is trying to settle his team before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
With the tournament less than a year away, England have three November Tests, starting against Australia on 8 November, followed by Japan and New Zealand.
Injuries are disrupting key choices, including at fly-half and centre, though Fin Smith’s calf problem is not thought to be serious.
Borthwick has named a 36-player training squad that largely relies on experienced players, alongside uncapped choices such as Archie McParland and Kepu Tuipulotu.
The squad must balance experience with current form, as some regulars have had limited playing time while other in-form players were left out.
Club rivalries also need managing after a heated derby involving England teammates, with concern that divisions could affect the national squad.
The November Tests are a chance to find settled combinations before the World Cup, and England next face Australia on 8 November.
Steve Borthwick faces selection questions and injury concerns as England prepare for their November Tests, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup less than a year away.
Fin Smith, England’s expected starting fly-half, will miss training this week with a calf injury that is not thought to be serious.
Centre candidates Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Seb Atkinson are also unavailable or recovering, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is on the rehab list.
Borthwick has named a 36-man training squad, including uncapped players Archie McParland and Kepu Tuipulotu.
Former England players have questioned whether the squad reflects current form or relies too heavily on established players and experience.
- Who
- England, led by head coach Steve Borthwick.
- What
- England are preparing for November Tests while facing selection questions and several player injuries.
- When
- Ahead of the Tests in November 2026, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup less than a year away.
- Where
- England; the World Cup will be held in Australia.
- Why
- Borthwick needs to settle selections and combinations before the World Cup, while injuries affect preparations.
Experience-led selection
Form-led selection
Squad approach
Experience-led selection
Chris Ashton said the training squad is largely based on experience and relationships, rather than current form.
Form-led selection
Ugo Monye argued that in-form players such as Nathan Jibulu, George Hendy and Fitz Harding deserved consideration.
Selection consistency
Experience-led selection
Ashton said Borthwick faces a dilemma in balancing players performing well with consistency from campaign to campaign.
Form-led selection
Monye said England should take a closer look at Hendy and questioned Harding’s omission when form is being considered.
BBC Sport reported that Borthwick had named a 36-man training squad ahead of the November Tests.
Fin Smith is set to miss training with a calf injury, while the fitness of injured players is being monitored.
England are scheduled to play Australia.
England are scheduled to face Japan.
England are scheduled to face New Zealand.
The Rugby World Cup is due to start in Australia.
- Training squad
- 36 players
- England v Australia
- 8 November 2026
- England v Japan
- 14 November 2026
- England v New Zealand
- 21 November 2026
- World Cup
- Australia, October 2027
- Uncapped squad members
- Archie McParland and Kepu Tuipulotu
3 sources
What people are saying
It is a squad to get to the World Cup. Will Joseph is picked on form, but the vast majority is not.
Part of the problem right now is that Steve feels he is under pressure to get results, so it is too late to make big changes.
We know how talented Tuipulotu is, he is brilliant, but Nathan Jibulu at Sale has had two man-of-the-match performances and might feel slightly hard done by.
In my opinion, we need to have a look at Hendy.