Chandler Cunningham-South (Lock/Back Row, Harlequins)
Cunningham-South has steadily risen through the ranks, earning 20 England matchday squad appearances and showing strong versatility between lock and back row.
After impressing during this summer’s Tests, many expected his inclusion to help guide his positional development. Instead, Borthwick has surprisingly left him out, raising questions about the path forward for this emerging talent.
Jack van Poortvliet (Scrum-half, Leicester Tigers)
One of England’s brightest young scrum-halves, Van Poortvliet impressed during his early international outings and Premiership performances before a series of injuries impacted his development..
At just 24, his omission indicates Borthwick wants him to prove he can stay fit for an extended period before awarding a central contract, preferring to keep options open in a position with growing competition.
Seb Atkinson (Back Row, Wasps)
Atkinson has made a name for himself with dynamic performances and relentless work rate at club level. His absence from the enhanced EPS list demonstrates the fierce competition for international contracts, suggesting that consistency and further development will be key to breaking into Borthwick’s core squad.
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