Steve Borthwick suffers second major injury blow as England squad updated

Why Kloska over Sela?

Who cares about 6 N now, next 2 games out out a team that arre likely to go to the WRC and leave out those that are better suited to the WC

No Hendy is a crime, he has pace and physicality. Can also play acrooss the back 3.

On the plus side, Furbank gained game time over the weekend. Scored and assusted a try, can cover fly-half so no need for M Smith.

Was this really a surprise that Lawrence is injured again????

He cam back very early at the start of the season, played a few games for Bath and was picked for the Autumn Internationals where he played 2/4 and was then sidelined for weeks with a hamstring strain (over loaded).

He literally just came back, played 2 games for Bath and he’s out again with a knee injury. He isn’t fit, goes into the 6 Nations camp, plays against IRE and is injured again.

I’d love to see the player welfare justification on this one!! Why do ENG keep putting injured/returning players straight back into the squad before they have proven their fitness - Feyi-Waboso, Lawrence & Roebuck are 3 very good case studies to consider to see where improvements could be made.

Owen Farrell .

Robinson will soon replace Borthwick and MEGA !

I think for all neutral viewers who follow global rugby the occasion of Italy properly challenging England for a win in front of a capacity excited crowd in the Stadio Olympico will be unmissable.

So if you Believe Borthwick, the losses were down to a lack of physicality in the forwards and losing the breakdown both weeks.

Then I look at the squad changes and don’t see anything that suggests a change of direction.

No Tuipulotu or Tom Willis to improve the forward carries.

No Ojomoh as a natural replacement to Lawrence.

No Caluori, or Hendy to add something to the backs.

This is probably the worst selection response you could wish for and we will play the two most physical sides with our least physical squad.

I have some sympathy for Borthwick with the injuries . . . but he is not helping himself with his decisions and the fans are confused as the actions don’t match his words and explanations.

Lawrence clearly wasnt at 100% against Ireland, the continued exclusion of Ojomoh is utterly bizarre, and I fully realise that its tantamount to heresy to say so, but itoji has been nowhere near the level required and should be rested.

Its a bit same old tired faces unfortunately.

IItaly will turn us over.

France will slaughter us.

Is it better being back to a continuous run with the week in between? Seems much better than the multiple gaps 6N had been having. What were the point of those?

I think the RFU should scrap their Ban on overseas player, and parachute in the Willis brothers and Karl Sinkler straight away.

Not a single proper number 8 in the squad! Where’s Fisilau? Ben Earl isn’t even the best no 8 at Saracens. Barbeary doesn’t get a look in. There’s a distinct lack of big ball carriers in that backrow with Cunningham-South the only one capable of delivering that. The 5x7 tactic isn’t working. Scotland and Ireland dominated us at the breakdown. For having 5x7 we offer less jackaling threat than Scotland, Ireland and France

It’s very depressing but I’m not surprised. Borthwick ignores Prem form regularly. After his performance against Argentina in the autumn, Ojomoh has been poorly treated. It’s another example of Borthwick’s terrible man management. I have little faith that the selection issues will be addressed nor the preparation issues. I fear a first ever loss to Italy will happen on Saturday followed by a thrashing at the hands of France in Paris. Maybe then the RFU will end the tenure of Borthwick but again I’m not convinced as incompetence seems to be rife within the RFU

How can Kenningham (who’s a good player for Quins) be selected ahead of Ethan Roots .. who’s an absolute monster week on week!!?

Also, no Ojomoh .. no Calouri .. no Touipoutou .. no Ted Hill ..

All this means no go forward .. no ambition .. and no imagination (on the part of the coaches)!!

Hardly inspiring, no Caluori, no Hendy, no other hookers etc to improve the carries.

I have a feeling there will be very little change from previous teams but we will simply go back to the kicking game.

It may claw out better results for these next 2 games but there is no way we will win a RWC playing Borthball with Fordy.

It’s all mildly depressing and is s wasted opportunity.