Steve Borthwick has never been afraid to swing the axe since taking charge of England — but his hard-line selection policy is starting to divide opinion.
The biggest flashpoint came over Tom Willis ahead of the Autumn Tests. Despite being one of the form back-rowers in the Premiership, Willis was quickly frozen out once his move to the Top 14 was confirmed.
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TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey didn’t hold back, branding it “childish” for Borthwick to overlook in-form players in crucial positions.
Willis, still tied to a central deal worth around £150,000 and not due to expire until next summer, was removed from the head coach’s thinking almost immediately.
And he’s far from the only one.
From a destructive No 8 to a winger once tipped as the next Jonah Lomu, these are the big names who have fallen out of favour during Borthwick’s reign.
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Tom Willis
Club: Saracens → Bordeaux Bègles (2025)
Caps: 8
Despite still being fully eligible for England, Tom Willis has effectively been blacklisted by Steve Borthwick after a phonecall in October .
The England boss has refused to pick the powerhouse No 8 for Autumn and will snub hum again for the 2026 Six Nations — even though Willis is on a £160,000 enhanced Elite Player Squad contract.
The 26-year-old will leave Saracens for Bordeaux Bègles next summer, but his omission from the latest training squad shows just how ruthless Borthwick can be. Willis starred for England last year, starting six Tests and carrying that form into the new Premiership campaign.
Former England international Austin Healey branded Borthwick’s stance “childish,” pointing out that Willis is England’s only true specialist No 8.
RUCK Verdict: Still eligible, still in form — yet frozen out. If this isn’t personal, it sure looks like it.
