England head coach Steve Borthwick admitted to Sky Sports that his side’s prop injury crisis was “unfortunate and confusing” but said they “will go into the tournament” aiming to win their first Six Nations title since 2020.
Long-time tighthead prop Dan Cole retired at the end of last season and played a Test in November 2024 before going down during last year’s Championship, but England lost Will Stewart (Achilles) and Asher Opoku-Foljour (shoulder) to the side of the scrum for the entire tournament through injury.
There has also been a notable injury on the loosehead side, with Harlequins prop Finn Baxter (calf) currently out.
As a result, Borthwick has named two uncapped props in England’s Six Nations squad – 20-year-old Bath tighthead Vilikesa Serra and 25-year-old Northampton loosehead Emmanuel Iyogun.
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Manager Steve Borthwick has named Greg Fisilau, Vilikesa Serra and Emmanuel Iyogun into his 36-man England Six Nations squad.
Additionally, 33-year-old Northampton tighthead Trevor Davison also featured despite only having three caps and making his first appearance in four years in the summer test against the United States.
The importance of the scrum has increased with legal changes creating more kick-to-compete tactics, and Borthwick acknowledges it’s far from ideal: “Yes, we’ve had a few collisions with props that unfortunately aren’t available, but the point is that it creates opportunities for other players.
“We had planned our depth chart, scrum coach Tom Harrison was very focused on the front row forwards and was very clear about who the next players were.
“So we didn’t necessarily want that kind of disruption or change with new players, but we’re also prepared for that.
Joe Hayes is England’s only experienced tighthead prop in the squad, joined by Virriquesa Serra and Trevor Davison
“I think we’ve got a great squad of experienced senior internationals. The team was in the room and I talked about how many Six Nations games I’ve played so far, and some of the guys in the room have probably played 500 Six Nations games, so that’s great.”
“And we have an incredibly talented group of young players who have embraced Test rugby and are really incredibly ambitious.”
Since losing to Ireland in Dublin at the start of the 2025 Six Nations, Borthwick’s side have won 11 consecutive Tests, defeating the likes of France, New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham.
So the 46-year-old was resolutely upbeat in his numbers when discussing his upcoming campaign.
Steve Borthwick and captain Maro Itoje aim to lead England to first major honor since 2020
“I think the team has evolved. The first step in taking on that role was to build a team that was ready for the World Cup, with the World Cup just around the corner.
“After that, we went through a huge change, from the playing style to the age profile to the personnel within the team.
“I think this team is really growing and I think everyone can see that.
“I’m also really excited about the way people are talking about the team. The way people are talking so positively and feeling like they’re part of this group on the journey. The players feel very connected to the supporters.”
“So, as we start this tournament, we are clear on what we want to achieve by the end. It’s all about how we start.”
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England’s Henry Pollock met with Jamie Redknapp to discuss the upcoming Six Nations and Steve Borthwick’s goals for the team.
“That the players are ready to take on the tournament and play Test rugby with an attitude to play brave, big and fast.
“They have to be ready to train at the intensity required to perform on the grass. I feel the team is hungry to develop and hungry to win every Test match we take part in.”
“Ficilau is a player with an incredible work rate.”
In addition to Serra and Iyogun, a third uncapped player, Exeter Chiefs number eight Greg Ficilau, was also selected in England’s 36-man squad on Friday.
The 22-year-old has consistently impressed for Exeter and was highly rated by Borthwick.
“He’s got an incredible work rate. If you look at any sport, there’s a guy who just seems to keep the engine running and comes out time and time again, and that’s Greg.”
Exeter Chiefs No8 Greg Ficilau has been named one of three uncapped players in England’s 2026 Six Nations squad.
“That is the way he has played for Exeter and Exeter have played very well this season.
“He has earned this call-up and has had an exceptional career. He carries traffic, he carries space wide, he has good footwork and leg drive after post contact.
“One of the reasons England are going forward is that we have young, hungry players pushing. That will raise standards across the team.”
36 members of England squad for 2026 Six Nations
Forward (20): Ollie Chetham (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps), Arthur Clarke (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 53 caps), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 20 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 65 caps). Theo Dunne (Saracens, 20 caps), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 3 caps), Ben Earl (Saracens, 46 caps), Greg Ficilau (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 75 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 105 caps), Joe Hayes (Leicester Tigers, Maro Itoje (Saracens, 97 caps – captain), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 7 caps), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 5 caps), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 10 caps), Virikesa Sera (Bath Rugby, uncapped), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 45 caps).
Backs (16): Henry Arundel (Bath Rugby, 11 caps), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 74 caps), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 7 caps), Immanuel Fay-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps), George Ford (Sale Sharks, Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 22 caps), George Firbank (Northampton Saints, 14 caps), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 27 caps), Kaydan Murray (Harlequins, 4 caps), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, 2 caps) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 74 caps), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 46 caps), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 14 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 41 caps), Jack van Portvliet (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps).
England 2026 Six Nations fixtures
Saturday, February 7th
Saturday, February 14th
Saturday, February 21st
Saturday, March 7th
Saturday, March 14th
