The make-up of England’s back line for their Six Nations opener against Wales hangs on Tom Roebuck’s fitness, with the Sale Sharks wing touch and go to be ready.
Roebuck, 25, is Steve Borthwick’s preferred right wing now that he has moved Tommy Freeman inside one place to the No13 jersey. Northampton Saints’ Freeman is expected to partner his club-mate Fraser Dingwall in the centres on Saturday at Twickenham, outside the fly half George Ford.
Previously Freeman has returned to start on the wing when Roebuck has not played, but when he selected his Six Nations squad last month Borthwick said that Freeman was “very much moving now into the centre”.
Dingwall, left, and Freeman will be England’s centre pairing against Wales
DAN MULLAN – RFU/THE RFU COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES
The Times understands that while Roebuck trained fully last week at England’s pre-tournament camp in Girona, Spain, having recovered from a broken toe, his chances of making the Wales match are still rated as 50-50.
Roebuck most recently played in England’s 33-19 win over the All Blacks in November. He scored England’s fourth try in that win, but his toe break meant he has not featured for Sale since.
As he is one of the 25 players the head coach, Steve Borthwick, manages more closely, as part of the RFU’s “enhanced elite player squad”, Roebuck’s recovery was dictated by England. He has been near full fitness in recent weeks, and England have been keen to give him every chance to make the Wales match as they expect an aerial bombardment from Steve Tandy’s side.
Roebuck is strong under the high ball, particularly in defence, so is a valuable asset alongside Freddie Steward, the man in possession at full back.
Borthwick may be cautious, and could view the second match, against Scotland at Murrayfield, as the best time to re-introduce Roebuck after another week of training so he can be sure he is ready.
In that scenario, Borthwick could turn to Henry Arundell, 23, who has not started an England Test since the third-fourth play-off of the 2023 World Cup against Argentina, to inject pace into the backs. Elliot Daly, 33, is another wing option, as is Cadan Murley, 26. Daly last started for England in the 68-14 win over Wales in Cardiff which ended last year’s Six Nations.
He was placed on the left wing, outside Dingwall and Freeman, with Roebuck on the right.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 23, is in line to face Wales, the country of his birth, for the first time on Saturday, on the other wing.