Scrum Halves
Players being considered:
Ben Spencer
Jack Van Poortvliet
Harry Randall
Alex Mitchell
Raffi Quirke
Alex Mitchell was sorely missed during the Autumn internationals so England fans will be relieved to see him healthy for this tournament. Another player who has spent a lot of time on the sidelines due to injury is Raffi Quirke. The talented Sale player has struggled with staying fit but is undoubtedly talented and has been around many England camps. The player who he is likely competing for a spot against is fellow exciting scrum-half, Harry Randall who has been a star player in an impressive Bristol side. Elsewhere, Ben Spencer will be hoping for another chance after not quite making the #9 shirt his own in the absence of Mitchell.
Jack Van Poortvliet has been consistent for Leicester this season and has been someone Steve Borthwick has been happy to rely upon.
Players selected: Alex Mitchell, Ben Spencer, Harry randall
Honourable mention: Jack Van Poortvliet
Fly halves
Players being considered:
George Ford
Fin Smith
Marcus Smith
Fergus Burke
This is a position of strength for England with much more focused placed on who will start this tournament and who will make the bench. Ford and the Smiths are top class players at their position so it will be interesting to see how this position plays out. Fergus Burke is also eligible for Scotland but he has been placed on this list due to impressive performances for Saracens and a lack of another eligible fourth option with anywhere near enough quality.
Players selected: George Ford, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith
Honourable mention: Fergus Burke
Centres
Players being considered:
Henry Slade
Ollie Lawrence
Luke Northmore
Seb Atkinson
Alex Lozowski
Dan Kelly
Fraser DIngwall
This has been a problem position for England for a while now. They have recently found a consistent combination of Lawrence and Slade although the partnership has had its ups and downs. Alex Lozowski is a natural deputy to Slade in terms of experience, though not at the test level, and play style. He is also able to play at fly-half should it be required. Luke Northmore has been in the last few squads but has been unable to get himself properly into the side. Atkinson has had a good season for Gloucester and is probably the only natural inside centre on this list. Dan Kelly has struggled with injuries but has been on the outskirts of the team for a while. There are rumours that he will move to Ireland in order to play for the national team next season. If Borthwick wants to keep him, he'll have to back him now. Fraser Dingwall has been key for Northampton and is comfortable at inside centre. He probably deserves more of a chance in an England shirt.
Players selected: Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Lozowski, Fraser Dingwall
Honourable mention: Seb Atkinson
Back Three
Players being considered:
Freddie Steward
Joe Carpenter
Max Malins
Elliot Daly
Gabriel Ibitoye
Tommy Freeman
Ollie Sleightholme
Tom Roebuck
Cadan Murley
Joe Cokanasiga
George Hendy
Tom De Glanville
England are without Furbank and Feyi-Waboso for the Six Nations which leaves room for more players to get their chance. At fullback, Freddie Steward is now the favourite to start. George Hendy has deputised for Furbank at club level and has done well to stake a claim for an England spot. Carpenter has consistently been a standout performer for Sale and would bring a solid all-round game to the back line. De Glanville brings Quality with ball-in-hand.
On the wing, Freeman and Sleightholme will likely start with Roebuck bringing his aerial skills from the bench. The fourth spot is wide open. Daly would be usefull for versatility, Murley for pure pace, Ibitoye for X factor and Cokanasiga for raw power and size.
Players selected: Steward, Carpenter, Sleightholme, Freeman, Roebuck, Ibitoye
Honourable mention: Murley
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