Farrell hasn’t played for England since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Three years on, a comeback looks no closer.<\/p>\n
Borthwick has previously insisted the door remains open, but actions speak louder than words.<\/p>\n
The England boss explained his stance on a potential Farrell recall<\/a>, making clear that the former captain’s immediate focus was enjoying his club rugby again.<\/p>\n And with George Ford, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith all fighting for the number ten shirt, Farrell isn’t exactly short of competition.<\/p>\n The former captain isn’t alone, either.<\/p>\n From a Bath centre who can win Man of the Match for England and still struggle to get picked, to a winger who could probably outrun the team bus, here are five players seemingly stuck on the wrong side of Borthwick’s selection plans.<\/p>\n Five England stars seemingly frozen out by Steve Borthwick1. Owen Farrell<\/p>\n Remember when England couldn’t imagine a starting XV without Owen Farrell?<\/p>\n Those days feel a long time ago.<\/p>\n The former captain has 112 caps, more than 1,200 international points and three World Cups on his CV. Not a bad little r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n Yet he hasn’t worn an England shirt since 2023.<\/p>\n His move to Racing 92 initially ruled him out under the RFU’s overseas selection policy. Fair enough. Those are the rules.<\/p>\n But Farrell is back at Saracens now, and the phone still hasn’t rung with a recall.<\/p>\n Borthwick has previously explained why Farrell remains outside his plans<\/a>, but the competition at fly-half remains fierce.<\/p>\n At 35 next month, he’s hardly one for the future. But England aren’t exactly overflowing with players who have captained their country in a World Cup final.<\/p>\n You wouldn’t necessarily start him. You might not even put him on the bench.<\/p>\n But is he really not worth another look?<\/p>\n 2. Ollie Lawrence<\/p>\n This one is difficult to understand.<\/p>\n For a while, Ollie Lawrence looked like the answer to England’s midfield problems.<\/p>\n Big, powerful and capable of smashing through defensive lines, the Bath centre offered something England had been missing.<\/p>\n Then, suddenly, he’s on the outside looking in.<\/p>\n Gallagher Premiership Rugby player of the month for November is Ollie Lawrence of Bath Rugby, who poses with his Gallagher Player of the Month Trophy. Photo: Phil Mingo\/PPAUK\/Gallagher<\/p>\n His omission was among the biggest talking points when Borthwick left several established stars out of his September squad<\/a>.<\/p>\n The decision to favour Benhard Janse van Rensburg has also sparked criticism.<\/p>\n Lawrence is hardly some untested youngster hoping for a first cap.<\/p>\n He’s been there, done it and proved he can perform at Test level.<\/p>\n England have spent years searching for a centre who can consistently get them over the gain line.<\/p>\n It would be rather strange to forget about one they’ve already found.<\/p>\n 3. Max Ojomoh<\/p>\n Imagine winning Man of the Match for England and then wondering what else you need to do to get picked.<\/p>\n Welcome to Max Ojomoh’s world.<\/p>\n The Bath playmaker was outstanding against Argentina last November, scoring a try and showing exactly why so many people rate him.<\/p>\n Yet regular England opportunities have remained frustratingly hard to come by.<\/p>\n Former England stars Will Greenwood and Clive Woodward both backed Ojomoh for a starting role during the Six Nations.<\/p>\n Jeremy Guscott also questioned his continued England omission<\/a>, suggesting the Bath youngster had already done enough to deserve another chance.<\/p>\n And Ojomoh himself hasn’t hidden his frustration.<\/p>\n The centre opened up about being overlooked<\/a>, revealing that England’s coaches wanted improvements in his work rate, defensive intensity and post-contact metres.<\/p>\n Ojomoh has the hands, vision and attacking instincts to make England’s midfield considerably more interesting.<\/p>\n His September absence was linked to a calf injury, so it would be unfair to blame Borthwick for that particular omission.<\/p>\n But the wider question remains.<\/p>\n If a young centre can deliver a Man of the Match performance against Argentina and still struggle to establish himself, what exactly is the audition process?<\/p>\n 4. Adam Radwan<\/p>\n Adam Radwan could probably give most international wingers a ten-metre head start and still fancy his chances.<\/p>\n The Leicester Tigers speedster has been one of English rugby’s most exciting attacking talents for years.<\/p>\n He scored a hat-trick against Canada on his England debut in 2021.<\/p>\n Three tries. One game. Not a bad introduction.<\/p>\n Yet his international career has never really taken off.<\/p>\n Radwan was again among the big names overlooked by Borthwick<\/a> ahead of England’s autumn preparations.<\/p>\n Borthwick clearly values other qualities in his wingers, particularly their work without the ball.<\/p>\n And that’s fair enough. International rugby isn’t a 100-metre sprint.<\/p>\n But Radwan offers something defenders absolutely hate: genuine, frightening pace.<\/p>\n Sometimes you need someone who can turn a half-chance into seven points.<\/p>\n England have plenty of hardworking wingers.<\/p>\n They don’t have many quite like Radwan.<\/p>\n 5. Joe Cokanasiga<\/p>\n Here’s a player who once looked capable of becoming England’s answer to Jonah Lomu.<\/p>\n Alright, perhaps that was getting a little carried away.<\/p>\n But when Joe Cokanasiga first burst onto the international scene, the excitement was understandable.<\/p>\n At his best, the Bath giant combines enormous power with the sort of footwork you don’t expect from someone his size.<\/p>\n He scored 13 tries in his first 16 England appearances.<\/p>\n Joe Cokanasiga cuts a frustrated figure during England duty. (Credit: IMAGO \/ Inpho Photography)<\/p>\n That’s a pretty handy strike rate.<\/p>\n Yet Cokanasiga hasn’t played for England since August 2023.<\/p>\n Injuries haven’t helped, and England certainly aren’t short of options out wide.<\/p>\n But there aren’t many players in the Gallagher PREM<\/a> who offer his particular combination of size and finishing ability.<\/p>\n Now there’s another twist.<\/p>\n![\"ppauk](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ppauk-gpotm-nov-ollie-lawrence-151222-018.jpg@webp.webp\")
<\/p>\n![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/imago1032898293h-6ac21a913f220.jpg@webp.webp\")
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