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The England head coach Steve Borthwick will be forced into significant changes against Japan with George Furbank and Ollie Chessum joining Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Seb Atkinson as injury absentees for the Nations Championship clash.
Chessum and Furbank suffered shoulder and groin problems in the win over Australia, and will spend this week rehabbing in camp alongside Atkinson (hip) with the hope that all three will be available for the encounter with New Zealand next weekend.
Feyi-Waboso has meanwhile been ruled out of the remainder of the autumn after the ankle injury sustained against the Wallabies.
It leaves Borthwick seeking three new starters in the backline as well as on the blindside. The England head coach had also indicated that he is unlikely to start Ben Curry as he attempts to manage his minutes after a long injury lay-off.
His twin brother Tom Curry remains absent, with England also without Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill as openside options. That could necessitate Henry Pollock’s inclusion in the back row after a two-try performance off the bench on the wing.
Borthwick is able to recall Archie McParland to his squad, with the Northampton scrum half likely to press for a debut at Twickenham on Saturday. Newcastle flanker Max Hicks – born in New Zealand but eligible via his mother, who was born in Cornwall – earns a first call-up having performed strongly in the Prem and for England A, with Jack Kenningham another additional option. The uncapped Tobias Elliott of Saracens bolsters the wing options.
A radical backline rethink may be required, with Atkinson’s injury is likely to lead to selection for one of Fraser Dingwall or Max Ojomoh. The former was England’s regular No 12 last November and at the start of the Six Nations, while the latter impressed for England A against an Argentina XV in Bath on Friday.
“I thought there were a number of strong performances on Friday night. I think his was probably the standout performance,” Borthwick said of Ojomoh.
“I describe Fraser as a glue player. He makes everybody a little bit better around him. You don’t often see it, but everything he does – he’s really skilful, he makes all other players better and has a really good all-round skillset. Max’s point of difference is his attacking distribution, and ability to see space. I’ll check that medical report on Seb and look at the different permutations.”
On the wing, Elliott, Cadan Murley and Noah Caluori will come into consideration along with Joe Marchant and Will Joseph, both capable either in the back three or at outside centre. Borthwick also talked up the prospect of a recall for Tom Roebuck, who has returned to full fitness for Sale, though has opted against that at this stage.
“There’s a little bit for me to think through, we have a few bumps and bruises to take away a way up and work out the best combinations,” added Borthwick. “I’ve talked a lot about togetherness, cohesion, building that in this young side. I don’t want to make wholesale changes, but given the medical report, it’s probably looking a few more than I would have liked.”
Chessum’s absence could see Alex Coles move to the No 6 shirt having scrummaged on the flank at times against Australia should Borthwick favour a similar skillset in the role.
There will be a wariness, though, of wholesale changes against a Japan side coached by Eddie Jones – Borthwick’s predecessor and former boss with England.
Jones has promised to throw a few curveballs at his former side when he brings Japan to Twickenham on Saturday. The tourists were beaten 28-21 in their November opener by Wales last weekend.
“I think Eddie is an absolutely outstanding coach,” Borthwick said of his opposite number. “I don’t know who the best rugby coaches in the world would be, but if you’re making a list of great coaches then he’s up towards the top.
“I’m sure Japan will have a tactical plan to come here and try and derail us. He’s very good at that. In training, we often pose problems with the players to try and serve that purpose exactly. We’ll be doing that this week as well.”
