Five talking points as England duo poised for debut against Fiji

England are aiming to end their five-Test losing run when they clash with Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Here, the Press Association looks at five talking points heading into their first match in the north since 2019.

No margin for error
England have entered must-win territory against Fiji, the lowest ranked of their three Nations Championship opponents this month. While there is no shame in losing to world champions South Africa at their Ellis Park stronghold, the overall performance was a step backwards after the fireworks produced against France in the climax to the Six Nations.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has been backed until the 2027 World Cup by the Rugby Football Union but he needs a decisive victory in Liverpool to ease the pressure on his regime that has been a familiar theme of 2026.

Fiji plot Liverpool upset
Fiji may be positioned ninth in the global rankings, but they are dangerous opponents capable of striking from anywhere on the field and piling up tries in the blink of an eye.

Nations Championship

Northern Hemisphere

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Wales

1

1

0

0

5

2

Scotland

1

1

0

0

5

3

Ireland

1

1

0

0

5

4

France

1

0

1

0

2

5

Italy

1

0

1

0

0

6

England

1

0

1

0

0

Southern Hemisphere

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

South Africa

1

1

0

0

5

2

New Zealand

1

1

0

0

5

3

Japan

1

1

0

0

4

4

Australia

1

0

1

0

2

5

Argentina

1

0

1

0

1

6

Fiji

1

0

1

0

0

Their 39-24 defeat by Wales last Saturday underlined their ongoing vulnerability to a strong set piece, but they should be better drilled after another week in camp. For commercial and logistical reasons they are playing their ‘home’ games in the UK, where they recorded their only victory against England in 2023. As banana skin fixtures go, Fiji are as slippery as they come.

Fully loaded
Three changes have been made against the Islanders – and England are stronger for them. Tommy Freeman is restored to the right wing where he can cause maximum damage, with in-form veteran Henry Slade filling the vacancy at outside centre after a solid cameo at Ellis Park. Add in Guy Pepper’s promotion to openside at the expense of the benched Tom Curry, who had one of his quieter outings against South Africa, and England look more formidable in a no-nonsense team selection that highlights the stakes at play on Saturday.

Caluori brings the X-factor
A season that started with Saracens boss Mark McCall pleading not to over-hype Noah Caluori nears its end, with the 19-year-old try machine poised to make his Test debut off the bench. McCall did not want to see too much expectation heaped on young shoulders, but Caluori’s brilliance throughout his breakthrough season has undone his best intentions. Now the towering wing has the chance to prove his aerial athleticism and finishing instincts translate to the international area.

Centre of attention
South African-born Janse van Rensburg will also win his first England cap as a replacement after qualifying on residency grounds. The midfield remains as muddled as ever and it is hoped Van Rensburg’s carrying and ball playing skills, as well as his ability to play inside or outside centre, will add depth to the position.

Borthwick has been criticised for selecting a player who only arrived in the UK in 2021 ahead of those who have come through the English system, but the 29-year-old has been on the head coach’s radar for some time and has been picked at the earliest possible opportunity.