6 h. ago Roebuck and Steward injuries likely to trigger major England reshuffle against Fiji

Smith, Arundell and Lawrence in frame to startBorthwick faces dilemmas to backline selectionInjuries to Tom Roebuck and ­Freddie Steward look likely to trigger an eye-catching reshuffle in England’s backline for the Test against Fiji on Saturday. Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell and Ollie Lawrence are all in contention to be involved, with Manny Feyi-Waboso potentially the solitary starting back-three survivor from the victory against Australia last Saturday.The head coach, Steve ­Borthwick, had been hoping to announce his starting XV early this week only for that plan to be mothballed when Roebuck limped out of training prematurely on Tuesday with an ankle problem. Steward has not trained so far this week after sustaining a finger injury late in the win against the Wallabies, opening the way for Smith to replace him at full-back. Continue reading...

Events

7 h. ago England given back three headache as Tom Roebuck joins Freddie Steward as major doubts for Fiji clash

Roebuck, who impressed against Australia, limped out of training on Tuesday with an ankle issue

Events

6 d. ago Australia will target Freeman at centre in England clash, George Gregan warns

Former captain says defensive questions will be askedFreeman switching from more familiar role out wideThe former Australia captain George Gregan says they will target Tommy Freeman’s defending at outside-centre for England on Saturday.Steve Borthwick’s side kick off their autumn campaign at Twickenham against opponents who consigned them to a dramatic late defeat last year, and the head coach has made some notable selectorial calls. George Ford starts at No 10 instead of Fin Smith, Ford’s Sale Sharks colleague Tom Roebuck is on the wing and, most interestingly, Freeman will play at No 13. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Borthwick rips up script with move to hybrids that could lead to Pollock on wing

Head coach may also consider playing Ben Earl at centreMarcus Smith left out of matchday 23 to face AustraliaSteve Borthwick is considering playing his fast rising back-rower Henry Pollock on the wing at some stage this autumn as he seeks fresh impetus in all areas before the looming November Tests. The England head coach says he wants his side to hit the ground running against Australia this weekend and may also start Ben Earl at centre this season.England’s team to face the Wallabies has already had a significant makeover with Tommy Freeman starting in midfield and no place for either Marcus Smith or Ollie Lawrence in the matchday 23. No fewer than six British & Irish Lions players, including Pollock, have been named on the bench with Bath’s 22-year-old flanker Guy Pepper, the Leicester prop Joe Heyes and the Sale wing Tom Roebuck all starting. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Marcus Smith left out of England 23 to face Australia with Lions made to wait

George Ford at fly-half, Itoje leads side at TwickenhamPepper gets nod with Curry among six Lions on benchEngland have omitted Marcus Smith completely from their matchday squad to face Australia on Saturday and confirmed George Ford as their starting fly-half. Head coach Steve Borthwick has also named six British & Irish Lions on his bench with Tom Curry, Ellis Genge and Henry Pollock all named among the replacements.Instead Borthwick has preferred to put his faith in lower-profile players such as Bath’s Guy Pepper, Sale’s Tom Roebuck and Leicester’s Joe Heyes in a side which also has no place for Bath’s Ollie Lawrence or Exeter’s Henry Slade, both midfield regulars last season. Tommy Freeman will wear 13 having been shifted inside from the wing to form a centre pairing with his Northampton clubmate Fraser Dingwall. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Arsenal stars give Thomas Tuchel a welcome World Cup headache after Bukayo Saka stunner

Tuchel has selection dilemma as Saka battles Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke for England starting spot

Politics