England head coach Steve Borthwick has made some brutal calls in his latest squad selections – and a handful of big names look to have no future in the shirt.
Here are the major players currently out of favour:
❌ 1. Owen Farrell
Once England’s iron-willed skipper and talisman, Owen Farrell now finds himself on the outside looking in.
The 32-year-old shocked the rugby world when he stepped back from Test rugby last year, citing the relentless “poison” of social media abuse. While he’s hinted at a potential return, Farrell has been clear with Borthwick: he only wants to be selected on merit, not reputation.
The problem? England’s fly-half stocks are bursting. George Ford remains a trusted lieutenant, Fin Smith has emerged as a genuine game-changer at just 22, and Marcus Smith was handed a central contract ahead of Farrell – a major statement from the RFU.
Farrell is back with Saracens after an injury-troubled stint at Racing 92, but with Maro Itoje installed as captain and England’s attack finally clicking without him, Borthwick may well decide the time has come to move forward.
A legend of the shirt, but one whose England story could already be written.
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