The announcement of England's squad for the Autumn nations is imminent, so I've taken a look at Steve Borthwick's options heading into this round of fixtures.
Loosehead Prop
Obvious inclusions: Ellis Genge, Fin Baxter
Ellis Genge has long been a key starter for this England team and is its most vocal leader. He brought his talents to the Lions Tour over the summer and stood out amongst the best of Great Britain and Ireland. In the absence of Ellis Genge, Fin Baxter stepped up well against Argentina over the summer and showed why he is the clear choice to deputise for Genge whenever everyone is fit. He has also started the season well with Harlequins and is still young so there is plenty of time for him to grow into a world-class prop.
In contention: Bevan Rodd, Emmanuel Iyogun, Beno Obano
This is, in my mind, a stiff competition. However, evidence suggests that Steve Borthwick has a clear favourite. Bevan Rodd has been the consistent choice to take the third position in the squad and doesn't look like taking a step back after an impressive summer and a good start to the season with Sale. The battle behind him is between Iyogun and Obano. The latter has impressed massively with Bath in recent years and is one of the most powerful props in the country. His only potential downfall is his age. Given that there is a World Cup in a few years, and he is only 30, that shouldn't be a problem but it may put him behind Iyogun if all else is equal. The aforementioned Iyogun is a bit of an outsider in this competition but has developed nicely with Northampton and is now a much more well-rounded player than he was when he first burst onto the scene. His problem is that the players ahead of him look quite entrenched in their positions, so he'll just have to bide his time.
Unavailable due to injury: N/A
Predicted selections: Ellis Genge, Fin Baxter, Bevan Rodd
Hooker
Obvious inclusions: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie
No surprises here. The two British and Irish Lions tourists are clearly the top two players at their position in the country. George is at the latter end of his career, but is as reliable as ever, and Cowan-Dickie is the perfect type of player to be a modern hooker. The only question about these 2 is who starts and who finishes. I'd start Cowan-Dickie so that George can handle set-pieces when it matters most but it is just a matter of opinion.
In contention: Theo Dan, Nathan Jibulu, Jack Walker, Jamie Blamire, Gabriel Oghre
This is perhaps the most open battle for a final position in the entire squad. Before deciding which player to choose, Borthwick must decide upon a style of hooker that best fits his philosophy. These contenders can be split into two rough groups. The first consists of Walker, Blamire and Langdon are less flashy players but bring a high work-rate and are solid line-out throwers. The second group is made up of Dan, Jibulu and Oghre. They are all powerful ball-carriers that bring a different dynamic to a pack but have some questions surrounding their set pieces.
For this set of fixtures, Langdon is unavailable so, if Borthwick were to pick from the first group, it would be a choice between Leicester's Blamire and Harlequins' Walker. I don't foresee him selecting either of those players. I think he'll select from group 2 and most likely choose Theo Dan. Dan often starts ahead of George for Saracens and has been the consistent choice by Steve Borthwick to complete the position in his squad. Things could be changing now, however, with Oghre and Jibulu, Oghre has consistently been one of the best hookers in the Prem and, to me, often outshines Dan whilst playing the same style of rugby. The real wildcard is Jibulu. He has truly burst onto the scene for Sale this season and has been the best hooker in the league over the first month of the season. If he can become more consistent with his line-out throwing, he will surely be in the England squad by next summer at the latest.
Unavailable due to injury: Curtis Langdon
Predicted selections: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Theo Dan
Tighthead Prop
Obvious inclusions: Will Stuart
He is the obvious starter and is now a test Lion. Stuart will start for England up until the next World Cup at least.
In contention: Joe Heyes, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Afolabi Fasogbon, Trevor Davison
There are probably two clear selections here, but I think it's worth mentioning Fasogbon and Davison as players that are legitimate challengers for a spot in the front row. Davison is an experienced and trustworthy player that can be relied upon when a starter goes down. Fasogbon is at the opposite end of his career. He is a titanic prop that is still raw but developing all the time. He is probably fourth-best at this point, but his development could power him into the squad sooner than a lot of people would expect. He certainly didn't do himself any harm over the summer.
Joe Heyes and Asher Opoku-Fordjour are in a true competition for a spot on the bench behind Will Stuart. Heyes currently has the spot and has done nothing to lose it. He is continuing to be a good prop for both club and country. Opoku-Fordjour, meanwhile, is a dynamic young player that has done nothing but impress in every opportunity that he has been give, It does feel like it's just a matter of time before the Sale Sharks breaks into the team properly.
Unavailable due to injury: N/A
Predicted selections: Will Stuart, Joe Heyes, Asher Opoku-Fordjour
Second Row
Obvious inclusions: Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles
Itoje is a transcendent player at this point and will obviously be captaining the team going forward. Ollie Chessum has just become captain at Leicester and has gone up another level in the last year. Alex Coles has become the obvious 4th choice in the squad and was a standout player during England's successful tour in Argentina. Given the injury to George Martin, Alex Coles will likely play a big role this autumn. His ability to play in the back row as well, will be highly valued by England's coaching staff.
In contention: Nick Isiekwe, Arthur Clark, Ben Bamber, Joe Batley
This is a very open battle. Charlie Ewels featured heavily over the summer but has suffered what looks to be a serious injury whilst playing for Bath, which means that he will miss these games. There are 4 players that could replace him. Nick Isiekwe has been around the England set-up much longer than the other contenders and has amassed 15 caps in that time. He is a solid player that also brings some back-row versatility. However, England could look elsewhere. Joe Batley has been knocking on the door for a while without getting a look-in and arguably deserves a call-up. Arthur Clark and Ben Bamber are in their early twenties and are both deserving of a chance this autumn. Clark was a part of England's summer squad and made his debut against the USA in Washington. Bamber has had an incredible journey to Union and now looks like a properly developed player that brings unique physicality to the Sale Sharks. I'm certain that he'd quickly become a fan-favourite if given a chance for his country.
Unavailable due to injury: Charlie Ewels, George Martin
Predicted selections: Maro Itoje(C), Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, Arthur Clark
Back row
Obvious inclusions: Tom Willis, Ben Earl, Henry Pollock, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill
Tom Willis is now England's best no.8 by a mile. You can work around many things in rugby, but there is no substitute for size. Willis has that in abundance. He is the best ball-carrier in the Gallagher Prem and has consistently brought that form to the test arena. Ben Earl was forced out of the no.8 shirt by his Saracens teammate, but is still a key figure in this England team amongst stiff competition. Earl's intensity and quick-twitch can only be possibly matched by the emerging Henry Pollock who is also a shoo-in for this squad. Tom Curry and Sam Underhill are also clear selections for this team. There is some concern about Curry's fitness but, if he is available, he is in this team. Underhill is not a huge attacking force, but that doesn't matter when he is so good at everything else. His ability at the breakdown and his bone-crunching tackling set him apart from his competition for this position.
In contention: Chandler Cunningham-South, Guy Pepper, Jack Kenningham, Alex Dombrandt, Greg Fisilau
Ben Curry probably would've made this team if he was fit and Ted Hill has also been a consistent member of the squad in recent times. Their absences open up a couple of spots in this group that these players can look to fill. Alex Dombrandt and Greg Fisilau are specialists at no.8 and are both more of a play-making option than a Willis-style player. Dombrandt has been around the England team more but could be pushed out by one of his Harlequins teammates. Cunningham-South is a physical freak who just started ahead of Dombrandt against Saracens and actually out-played Tom Willis in a head-to-head match-up. With that in mind, Borthwick might feel that he has enough cover behind Tom Willis without needing another specialist at that position.
Guy Pepper looks to be in a good spot to stay in the squad after impressing over the summer and for Bath this season. He is a victim of competition in this area and would be talked about much more if it wasn't for England's embarrassment of riches in his position. Jack Kenningham is also a victim of this. He is always a star for Harlequins but is never quite good enough to make England's team. Instead, he often has to settle for the England A team. I have a feeling that will be his fate this autumn as well.
Unavailable due to inury: Ben Curry, Ted Hill
Predicted selections: Tom Willis, Ben Earl, Henry Pollock, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Chandler Cunningham-South, Guy Pepper
Scrum-half
Obvious inclusions: Alex Mitchell, Ben Spencer
Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer have consistently been the best scrum-halves in England over the past two seasons. Alex Mitchell has had more success with England but Spencer is getting more opportunities now and would pair well with Marcus Smith.
In contention: Jack van Poortvliet, Raffi Quirke, Will Porter
Jack van Poortvliet is probably the obvious choice between these 3 but Quirke and Porter are both in with a shout. This would probably have been much closer if Harry Randall was available but he won't be fit for the remainder of this calendar year. Quirke is electric but is rarely healthy whilst Porter is solid but unspectacular. I would be shocked if Jack van Poortvliet wasn't selected.
Unavailable due to injury: Harry Randall
Predicted selections: Alex Mitchell, Ben Spencer, Jack van Poortvliet
Fly-half
Obvious inclusions: Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, George Ford
Smith, Smith and Ford will all be in the squad. Last time they were all fit, Borthwick squeezed them all into the starting 23. Hopefully he doesn't continue to do so and we'll get a more defined vision of this team going forward. The debate over who should start has already been done to death, and it will continue for years, so I won't go into it here but they are all in contention.
In contention: Owen Farrell, Charlie Atkinson
Owen Farrell looks to be back in contention but is yet to start at fly-half for Saracens this season and was caught out several times by Marcus Smith last week. He could easily be back in this squad, but shouldn't start. Atkinson doesn't even start at fly-half for Gloucester, but did earn a cap in this position for England over the summer. He might have to play fly-half more often if Ross Byrne doesn't get his act together soon.
Unavailable due to injury: N/A
Predicted selections: Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, George Ford
Centre
Obvious inclusions: Ollie Lawrence
This position is truly up in the air. I don't know what Steve Borthwick wants out of this group, or who he likes in particular. The only thing I am sure of is that Ollie Lawrence is the best centre that this country has. Whatever pairing England go for, Lawrence has to be in it.
In contention: Henry Slade, Max Ojomoh, Fraser Dingwall, Seb Atkinson, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, Oscar Beard, Luke Northmore
Henry Slade surely has to be in the squad. Slade's experience was key over the summer for a very young group and Slade played well himself against some tough opposition. Seb Atkinson gained massively on that tour after impressing next to Slade in midfield and has to be in the squad if the injury he suffered against Bath isn't too bad. Dingwall is somewhat underappreciated by England fans but is consistently excellent for Northampton. He looks like a Henry Slade back-up option but that shouldn't be held against him. Max Ojomoh is a name that many want to see included in this squad, and his early-season performances have been great, but he has struggled to earn a consistent opportunity. Northmore and Beard both have fitness concerns hanging over them, and I'm not sure what they bring that others don't. Perhaps Beard's ability to play on the wing is important to Borthwick, but that shouldn't be enough to get him into the squad. Ma'asi-White is a bit of a wildcard. The Sale centre is a typical inside centre that would give England an edge that they have lacked since Tuilagi left for France. Ma'asi-White replaced him well at Sale, so why not given him an opportunity to do the same at international level?
Unavailable due to injury: N/A
Predicted selections: Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Fraser Dingwall
Wing
Obvious selections: Tommy Freeman, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tom Roebuck
These 3 are all obvious selections, and the only questions surrounding them is the fitness of Tommy Freeman who had to go off against Leicester at the weekend. He has also said that he wants to move to outside centre, but I don't expect Borthwick to move him just yet.
In contention: Cadan Murley, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan, Henry Arundell
There are plenty of options for the fourth spot, even with those players listed below being unavailable. Will Muir started in the summer but is yet to feature for Bath this season whilst the other 4 have all impressed for their clubs. Hassell-Collins and Radwan have both been lighting up the league for Leicester but don't seem to have the trust of Borthwick which could hold them back. Murley has been featured several times for Borthwick and is a reliable player for this team. Arundell has already had several highlight-reel-worthy moments for Bath, The questions around Arundell are about his defensive abilities but his X-factor ability is undeniable.
Unavailable due to injury: Gabriel Ibitoye, Ollie Sleightholme, Will Muir
Predicted selections: Tommy Freeman, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tom Roebuck, Cadan Murley
Fullback
Obvious inclusions: Freddie Steward
Steward has been in and out of this team, but has impressed in every opportunity. He has been imperious so far this season and looks to be back to his best for his club. If he can bring that form to England, I don't see how he can't start.
In contention: Joe Carpenter, Max Malins
Joe Carpenter has been the best fullback in the Prem over the past 2 seasons without getting much of an opportunity with England. Hopefully his time in the Americas has persuaded the England staff to put some faith in him. Max Malins is a bit of a Wildcard. He brings some creativity that the other 2 options don't have, but he is yet to build the recent body of work that the other 2 have.
Unavailable due to injury: George Furbank, Elliot Daly
Predicted selections: Freddie Steward, Joe Carpenter
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