The five biggest selection casualties from England's latest squad

Steve Borthwick’s first England squad after their horror Guinness Six Nations has been announced, and, as expected, there are some casualties.

Most interestingly of all, however, is that there is a very common theme to the list of players who can count themselves unlucky to miss out on the 42-man squad for a three-day camp this week.

Despite being second in the Gallagher PREM, reigning champions Bath only have five players in the squad, two of which are uncapped – Kepu Tuipulotu and Billy Sela.

There are, of course, some injuries to contend with, and Borthwick has made some bold calls.

So here are the five unluckiest players to miss out on the England squad:

Fixture

Nations Championship

South Africa

08:40

4 Jul 26

England

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Henry Arundell (Bath)
Arundell’s form hasn’t exactly dipped in a Bath shirt this season, as he scored four tries at the weekend, but this was the natural direction his England career was taking following the Six Nations.

After starting in the opening three matches of England’s campaign, including his infamous red-card Calcutta Cup performance, the 23-year-old found himself out of the matchday squad for the final two matches.

With so many wingers at England’s disposal, Arundell hurtled down the pecking order during the Six Nations. He’s not out of the picture, but Borthwick has many options.

Max Ojomoh (Bath)
Sometimes, some players’ faces just don’t fit, and Ojomoh seems to be one of those players under Borthwick.

A squad member during the Six Nations, the Bath centre could not find his way into a matchday squad despite a pitiful campaign and plenty of chopping and changing.

As it stands, he only has two caps to his name – the last being a player of the match performance against Argentina in November – and, in truth, it may remain that way for a while, particularly with the soon-to-be-qualified Benhard Janse van Rensburg making the squad.

Ollie Lawrence (Bath)
Of all the players to miss out, Lawrence is the most experienced, with 38 caps to his name, but he currently appears to be a shadow of the player many know he is.

Over the past year, Lawrence has battled an Achilles injury, a hamstring injury and a knee injury, which ultimately allowed him to play only one match during the Six Nations.

Maybe a late-season surge in form could change Borthwick’s mind before he names his final squad?

Alfie Barbeary (Bath)
The Bath theme continues, which may suggest Borthwick is simply opting to rest some Bath players following a busy campaign where they reached the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals and are already qualified for the PREM play-offs.

The uncapped Barbeary has been one of Bath’s best performers in recent weeks, but may have just found himself pipped at the end by the resurgent Alex Dombrandt, who has got the nod from Borthwick.

George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
Just like Arundell, Northampton’s uncapped 23-year-old Hendy is a victim of the vast amount of depth England have on the wing.

A cap will surely come if Hendy continues to play the way he has for Saints, and he is boosted by being equally adept at full-back, but he misses out this time.

There can be plenty of debate about England’s back-three options. While George Furbank, Freddie Steward, the uncapped Noah Caluori, Tommy Freeman, Tom Roebuck and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are certs, Cadan Murley and Adam Radwan are perhaps the ‘bolter’ members of this squad, but they are certainly deserving.

Not considered for selection: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Will Muir (Bath Rugby), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)