Later this week, Steve Borthwick will select his XV and bench to take on Australia. Here is who I think he should select:
1.Ellis Genge - Genge is the obvious starter here. He was already England's first-choice and has now starred on a Lions Tour.
2.Luke Cowan-Dickie - Cowan-Dickie impressed with the Lions and has looked good since returning to Sale. Jamie George could start. but Cowan-Dickie's ability to impact the game in open play sets him apart.
3.Will Stuart - Stuart has now established himself as a key starter for his country over the last 18 months.
4.Maro Itoje(C) - England's captain and the first name on the team-sheet.
5.Ollie Chessum - An absolute powerhouse who has now assumed the role of captain at his club team. Chessum is a workhorse who also provides the ability to slide into the back row.
6.Chandler Cunningham-South - Cunningham-South has now gained some experience in the second row and is a legitimate line-out option for England. Due to some players recently becoming unavailable, his size now sets him apart from his competition.
7.Sam Underhill - There is a ridiculous amount of competition for this spot, but Underhill's physicality, breakdown ability and defensive prowess make him the perfect candidate to take on Australia. Tom Curry is apparently also available now, but surely the wise decision would be to rest him for at least a week.
8.Ben Earl - In the wake of Tom Willis's decision to join Bordeaux, a spot has opened up in the England back row. Emeka Ilione appeared to be a possible replacement but suffered a shoulder injury at the weekend, thus ruling him out for the time being. That leaves Earl and Pollock to battle for this spot. To me, this is a 50/50 and whoever doesn't start will be on the bench.
9.Alex Mitchell - Mitchell has done nothing to be dropped since he first earned the 9 jersey a couple of years ago.
10.Fin Smith - This is a tight competition, but Smith has performed well whenever given the opportunity and is boosted by Alex Mitchell, his Northampton team-mate being the obvious choice at scrum-half.
11.Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - Had he been fit, Feyi-Waboso surely would've been a Lions. He is absolutely electric and has to start for England.
12.Fraser Dingwall - Dingwall has actually played well whenever given the opportunity to represent his country. He will pair well with his Saints team-mate, Fin Smith, and will operate as the team's second play-maker. That role becomes even more crucial if Freddie Steward is at fullback.
13.Ollie Lawrence - Lawrence has successfully returned from a serious injury to star for Bath in the early part of this season. He is clearly England's best centre and the question in midfield is much more centred around his potential partners.
14.Tommy Freeman - Freeman has quickly become one of the best wingers in the World. There is some suggestion, including from the man himself, that he could move to outside centre. However, I believe that England should select him in the same position that he excels for his club.
15.Freddie Steward - Furbank and Carpenter are both injured which means that Steward is the obvious selection here. Marcus Smith could be under consideration for this spot, but that experiment is yet to really work and he is too vulnerable in the air. Steward is also an excellent player who suits Borthwick's kick-heavy game plan.
Bench
16.Jamie George - In my eyes. George is still England's best hooker. His set-piece solidity will be invaluable in the crucial minutes of games this Autumn.
17.Fin Baxter - Baxter used Genge's absence for the Argentina tour to consolidate his position as England's second-best loosehead prop.
18.Asher Opoku-Fordjour - Heyes has generally held this position, and would be a worthy choice, but Opoku-Fordjour has impressed for long enough that he surely deserves a better shot at gaining real experience for his country.
19.Alex Coles - With the injury to George Martin, Coles is England's 3rd=choice lock. He is a genuine giant, even amongst rugby players, and has plenty more development in him.
20.Henry Pollock - As i wrote when covering Ben Earl, Pollock could easily start and will be electric regardless of when he enters the fray.
21.Ben Spencer - Spencer has been arguably the best scrum-half in England over the past 2 seasons and seems to be earning more trust from Steve Borthwick.
22.George Ford - Ford has been chosen over Marcus Smith due to his consistency and game management. Last year, England lost to Australia due to an inability to control the game in the final 30 minutes. George Ford is perfectly suited to prevent England suffering the same fate in 2025.
23.Tom Roebuck - Roebuck is unlucky not to start and has become a trusted figure for Borthwick. His aerial prowess is unmatched amongst wingers and suits Borthwick's style perfectly.
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