England enter 2026 with expectations excessive and alternatives aplenty to take care of their upward trajectory below Steve Borthwick.
Their 12 months begins with a Six Nations marketing campaign through which they’re main the cost to dethrone champions France, whom they face within the event finale in Paris on March 14.
Arriving on the Stade de France with a shot at a primary Grand Slam in a decade nonetheless on the desk feels just like the minimal requirement for an England aspect steadily on the rise.
In spite of everything, they boast an 11‑sport successful streak stretching again to final season’s Six Nations, a run that features a standout victory over New Zealand.
For these ambitions to be realised, nonetheless, a recent set of challenges have to be overcome – checks that can provide the newest measure of progress below Borthwick and a snapshot of the state of English rugby a 12 months out from the Rugby World Cup.
An premature entrance‑row harm disaster has ended the tournaments of tightheads Will Stuart (Achilles) and Asher Opoku‑Fordjour (shoulder) earlier than they even started, whereas loosehead Fin Baxter’s participation hangs within the stability after calf surgical procedure.
In consequence, the energy in depth Borthwick has cultivated over the previous 12 months faces an instantaneous and looking out examination, however it’s a problem he has no choice however to embrace.
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England head coach Steve Borthwick highlights the disruption attributable to England’s prop accidents, however says his aspect is able to ‘assault’ the Six Nations.
“We’ve had a couple of bumps with props that are unavailable, but what that does is it creates opportunity for others,” he advised Sky Sports activities.
“We’ve had the depth charts planned. Our scrum coach Tom Harrison focuses very much on those front‑row forwards, and he’s been really clear on who the next player in is.
“So whereas we did not essentially need that disruption and the necessity to change issues with new gamers, we’re additionally prepared for it.”
Stuart, Opoku‑Fordjour and Baxter’s misfortune is Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela, Emmanuel Iyogun and Greg Fisilau’s alternative.
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Steve Borthwick has referred to as up Greg Fisilau, Vilikesa Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun to affix his 36-player England Six Nations squad.
The uncapped trio – Bathtub’s 20‑12 months‑outdated prop Sela, Northampton loosehead Iyogun and Exeter quantity eight Fisilau – have been drafted in as reinforcements, handed the prospect to place themselves firmly on the radar a 12 months out from the World Cup.
How they alter – or do not – to the stress of the Check area provides one other fascinating dimension to England’s marketing campaign. Will they sink, or seize the second and swim? Time will inform, and England’s title aspirations might properly hinge on the result.
England squad for 2026 Six Nations
Steve Borthwick has named three uncapped gamers in Greg Fisilau, Vilikesa Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun as a part of his England Six Nations squad.
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), Man Pepper (Bathtub Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Vilikesa Sela (Bathtub Rugby) Sam Underhill (Bathtub Rugby)
Backs: Henry Arundell (Bathtub 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 (Bathtub Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bathtub Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
England’s 2026 Six Nations fixtures
- February 7: Wales (h)
- February 14: Scotland (a)
- February 21: Eire (h)
- March 7: Italy (a)
- March 14: France (a)
