2. Tom Willis<\/p>\n
The situation surrounding\u00a0Tom Willis\u00a0is far more straightforward.<\/p>\n
After deciding to move abroad, Willis effectively removed himself from the England equation under RFU selection policy. Borthwick publicly stated that England would invest time in players who will be part of the 2027 World Cup campaign \u2014 and confirmed Willis is not in that group.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s as clear as it gets.<\/p>\n
Regardless of form, availability remains king in Test rugby. Once a player falls outside the strategic pathway, reversals are rare.<\/p>\n
For Willis, the door doesn\u2019t look ajar \u2014 it looks shut.<\/p>\n
3. Zach Mercer<\/p>\n
Few England stories have been as frustrating as\u00a0Zach Mercer.<\/p>\n
A standout at club level, Mercer has repeatedly found himself on the outside of England\u2019s plans. After being told he wasn\u2019t part of Borthwick\u2019s vision, he openly admitted he felt \u201cdone\u201d with England and needed to step away for his own mental well-being.<\/p>\n
He later returned to France \u2014 a move that, under current selection rules, makes a recall even less likely.<\/p>\n
The reality? Mercer doesn\u2019t fit the mould Borthwick appears to prefer at No.8 \u2014 a more defensively dominant, collision-heavy profile.<\/p>\n
With policy and preference both working against him, his England chapter appears finished.<\/p>\n
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