England coach Steve Borthwick admitted Ski Sports The prop injury crisis in his squad is “unfortunate and disruptive” but he says he will “attack the tournament” in pursuit of a first Six Nations title since 2020.
With long-time professional Dan Cole retiring at the end of last season – he played Tests in November 2024 before missing out on last year’s Championship – England have been without Will Stewart (Achilles) and Asher Opoku-Fordjur (shoulder) for the entire tournament on that side of the scrum.
There is also a noticeable injury on the loosehead side, with Harlequins prop Finn Baxter (calf) currently out.
The result was seen by Borthwick names the England Six Nations squad with two uncovered props in 20-year-old Bath stalwart Willikesi Sally and 25-year-old Northampton loosehead Emmanuel Ayogun.
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Steve Borthwick has called up Greg Fisilau, Willikesa Sela and Emmanuel Ayogun to join his 36-man England Six Nations squad
In addition, 33-year-old Northampton ruckman Trevor Davison also managed to make it, despite only having three caps and making his first Test appearance in four years against the USA this summer.
With the tussle taking on increasing importance in line with law changes that produce more kicking tactics for the competition, Borthwick is aware that it is far from ideal: “Yes, we’ve had a few problems with props that are unfortunately unavailable, but what it does is create opportunities for others.
“We had the depth charts planned out. Our scrum coach Tom Harrison focuses a lot on those forwards in the front row, and he was really clear about who the next player was.
“While we didn’t necessarily want that disruption and change of things with new players, we’re also ready for that.”
Joe Hayes is the only experienced England international in the squad, joined by Willikesa Sela and Trevor Davison
“I think we’ve got a fantastic mix of experienced senior internationals. The team was in the room and I was talking about how many Six Nations games had been played and there were probably 500 Six Nations games between the people in the room. It’s fantastic.”
“And then we have this incredibly talented young group of players who embrace Test rugby and are really incredibly ambitious.”
Since suffering defeat by Ireland in Dublin at the start of the 2025 Six Nations, Borthwick’s side have won 11 Tests in a row, seeing off France, New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.
As such, the 46-year-old struck a resolute and positive tone when discussing the upcoming campaign.
Steve Borthwick and captain Maro Itoje will be looking to lead England to their first major honor since 2020.
“I think the team has evolved. That first stage in the role was with the World Cup coming up, and building a team that was ready to take on that World Cup.”
“After that, there was a transition in which we changed a lot. From the style of play, age, personnel in the composition.
“I think this team is really developing, and I think everybody can see that.”
“I’m also very excited about the way people are talking about the team. The way people are talking so positively and feeling part of this group on the road. The players feel so connected to the fans.”
“So, at the start of this tournament, we are clear about what we want to achieve until the end. It will all come down to how we start.”
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England’s Henry Pollock sat down with Jamie Redknapp to discuss the upcoming Six Nations and Steve Borthwick’s goals
“For the players to come in ready to play Test rugby, with the attitude to attack the tournament and play bold, big and fast.”
“They have to be ready to train with the intensity that we need to be able to bring those performances to the grass. I feel a group that is hungry to develop and hungry to win every Test match we go into.”
“Fisilau is a player with a phenomenal work rate”
Alongside Sela and Ijogun, a third uncapped player was named in England’s 36-man squad on Friday: Exeter Chiefs No.8 Greg Fisilau.
The 22-year-old has consistently impressed for Exeter, with Borthwick offering high praise.
“He’s got phenomenal work. When you watch any sport and you see a player who seems to have a motor that just keeps going and he’s on it over and over again, that’s Greg.
Exeter Chiefs number eight Greg Fisilau has been named as one of three uncapped players in England’s 2026 Six Nations squad.
“That’s the way he played for Exeter, and Exeter are playing so well this season.”
“He’s earned this call and he’s an outstanding carrier. He carries in traffic, he carries wide and in space, he has great footwork and footwork after contact.
“Part of why the England team will go on is that you have hungry young players pushing themselves, which will bring a standard across the whole team.”
England squad of 36 players for 2026
Forwards (20): Ollie Chesum (Leicester Tigers, 30 games), Arthur Clarke (Gloucester Rugby, 1 game), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 14 games), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Cyle Sharks, 53 games), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 6 caps, Sark 20), Tom Sharks, 5 games Theo Dunn (Saracens, 20 appearances), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 3 games), Ben Earle (Saracens, 46 games), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, not involved), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 75 appearances), Jamie George (Saraces, 10. Hager 105). games), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 97 caps – captain), Emmanuel Ayogun (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 7 caps), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 5 caps), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 10 caps), Wilikes Ruby Sela Under, Wilikes Ruby Sela in Bath Rugby 45 caps).
Back (16): Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby, 11 games), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 2 games), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 74 appearances), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 7 games), Emmanuel Feiyi-Waboso (Eketer Chiefs, 1 cap, Georges, 1). Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 22 games), George Fairbank (Northampton Saints, 14 games), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 27 games), Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 4 games), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, 2 games), Henry Mar Chief Smits (Eke7), Henry Marcus Smits (Eke7). (Harlequins, 46 games), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 14 games), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 41 games), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 21 games).
England Six Nations 2026
Saturday, February 7
Saturday, February 14
Saturday, February 21
Saturday, March 7
Saturday, March 14