‘Blacklisted’ duo - 14 England stars missing from Steve Borthwick’s squad
Rugby NewsSunday, 06 September 2026 at 20:26
Steve Borthwick has named a 36-player England training squad for September, with preparations beginning to ramp up ahead of the Nations Championship.
But just as interesting as those selected are the players who are missing.
Injuries and load management explain several absences, while Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have effectively been told to prove themselves in the Premiership before being considered for a recall.
Then there are the genuine selection talking points.
Owen Farrell remains outside the picture, Adam Radwan and Henry Arundell have missed out, while the continued absence of Bath centres Ollie Lawrence and Max Ojomoh is becoming particularly intriguing.
Here are 14 notable England stars missing from Borthwick's latest group.
1. Ollie Lawrence
Perhaps the most glaring omission of them all.
Lawrence has established himself as one of the outstanding centres in the Premiership, yet once again finds himself outside Borthwick’s latest England group.
The Bath powerhouse has the physicality, carrying threat and Test experience to offer England something different in midfield, but Borthwick continues to look elsewhere.
At this point, his continued absence is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
2. Max Ojomoh
Then there is Lawrence’s Bath teammate Max Ojomoh.
Ojomoh is understood to have a minor calf issue, which explains why he cannot take a full part in this particular camp.
However, his wider England situation remains fascinating.
Ojomoh and Lawrence have a strong claim to being two of the best English centres in the Premiership, yet neither currently appears to be at the heart of Borthwick’s plans.
The ‘blacklisted’ duo?
To be absolutely clear, there is no suggestion from England that either Lawrence or Ojomoh has actually been blacklisted.
But from the outside, their continued struggle to break into Borthwick's plans is beginning to feel almost personal.
Two of the country's outstanding Premiership centres continue to watch other midfield options receive opportunities.
For Lawrence in particular, the question is becoming obvious: what more does he have to do?
3. Owen Farrell
There is also no return for former England captain Owen Farrell.
Farrell's name will inevitably generate interest whenever an England squad is announced, particularly given his enormous Test experience and history as one of the most influential players of the modern era.
For now, though, Borthwick is continuing with the fly-half options already established within his current England set-up.
His absence is therefore very different from those players unavailable through injury.
4. Courtney Lawes
Courtney Lawes is eligible for England again following his return to the Premiership, but there will be no immediate recall.
Borthwick is keen to see the veteran forward back playing domestically before deciding whether to bring him into the international fold.
That leaves the door open ahead of the Nations Championship.
If Lawes quickly finds his best form, the clamour for an England return could become difficult to ignore.
5. Joe Marchant
Joe Marchant finds himself in essentially the same position.
The centre is back in the Premiership following his spell in France and is therefore available to Borthwick once again.
However, England are keen to see both Marchant and Lawes playing in the Premiership before considering a recall.
Marchant was a significant part of Borthwick's side during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so his performances at club level will now be watched closely.
6. Henry Arundell
Another eye-catching omission is Henry Arundell.
The explosive back-three star has already demonstrated his finishing ability at international level but has not been included in this 36-player group.
With fierce competition across England's back three, Arundell faces a battle to force himself back into Borthwick's preferred group.
7. Adam Radwan
Adam Radwan is another electric Premiership winger who has failed to make the cut.
The speedster remains one of the most dangerous broken-field runners in English rugby, but Borthwick has gone with other options in his latest squad.
With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman and others competing for back-three places, the competition could hardly be tougher.
8. Ellis Genge
Unlike several names on this list, there is little mystery surrounding Ellis Genge.
The Bristol Bears prop was given additional time off during the summer and is now gradually building back towards full training with his club.
His absence from the camp is therefore understood to be load management rather than Borthwick dropping one of his senior forwards.
9. Alex Mitchell
England's first-choice scrum-half is continuing his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury with Northampton Saints.
Mitchell will therefore miss the camp while working his way back towards full fitness.
His absence gives Borthwick an opportunity to assess his other scrum-half options.
10. Ben Spencer
Ben Spencer is another scrum-half unavailable through injury.
The Bath captain underwent shoulder surgery during the summer and remains in rehabilitation with his club.
He will be hoping to return to contention once he is back playing.
11. Tom Roebuck
Tom Roebuck's absence is also understood to have a straightforward explanation.
The Sale Sharks winger is playing for his club immediately before the England camp, which means he would not be able to complete the full training programme.
In particular, the turnaround would prevent him completing some of England's high-speed running work.
This therefore appears to be scheduling and load management rather than a significant selection setback.
12. Noah Caluori
Highly-rated Saracens youngster Noah Caluori is unavailable because of a wrist injury.
The exciting back has already forced his way into the senior England conversation and remains one of the country's most intriguing young prospects.
His latest opportunity will simply have to wait.
13. Jamie George
Jamie George is not included among the 36 players taking part in full training.
However, the experienced hooker will still attend the camp at Pennyhill Park while continuing his rehabilitation within the England environment.
That distinction is important: George remains around the squad despite not being named among the 36.
14. Ollie Chessum
It is a similar story for Ollie Chessum.
The Leicester Tigers forward will attend the camp but will not participate fully as he continues his rehabilitation.
Like George, he should therefore be considered unavailable for the training squad rather than completely outside Borthwick's plans.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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