Blacklisted England star reveals the big problem with Steve Borthwick

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His treatment of Tom Willis has sparked debate across the rugby world, with TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey calling it “childish” for the head coach to ignore form players in key positions.

From a once-undroppable fullback to a powerhouse No 8 and a winger once compared to Jonah Lomu, here are the stars who’ve slipped out of favour under Borthwick’s rule.

Club: Toulon (joined 2025)
Caps: 2

Mercer’s move back to France with Toulon ends any short-term England hopes. After tearing up the Top 14 with Montpellier and being crowned Player of the Year, his return to Gloucester was supposed to relaunch his Test career.

Instead, Borthwick barely looked his way. Now, by heading back across the Channel, Mercer has effectively ruled himself out of England selection under current RFU policy.

Mercer is now at Toulon having left Gloucester at the end of the 2024/25 season and he is loving life again.

“I left a lot back in Montpellier to come back to England and it didn’t work out. I had two kids when I was back in England so it was the best decision for our family and my wife was around her mum and dad,” he told the Telegraph

“However, I went back to play for England and it was incredibly frustrating. I was not given one game or one opportunity to show what I could do, which at the time was really upsetting. At the time, it knocked me about mentally.

“Now it is in the past and I don’t bother thinking about it. Right now, I have no ambition to come back and play for England again.

“With the coach who is there at the moment, the door is closed. Who knows what will happen in a couple of years, but right now I am just focusing on enjoying my rugby and getting my family set up for the future.”

RUCK Verdict: England’s loss, Toulon’s gain — one of the most dynamic No 8s around.

Club: Saracens → Bordeaux Bègles (2025)
Caps: 8

Despite still being fully eligible for England, Tom Willis has effectively been blacklisted by Steve Borthwick. The England boss has refused to pick the powerhouse No 8 for the rest of the season — 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.

Club: Bath Rugby
Caps: 16

It’s been eight years since Cokanasiga first pulled on an England shirt. The comparisons to Jonah Lomu were unfair, but his blend of pace and power is still unmatched.

He’s shown flashes for Bath, but inconsistency and injuries have stopped him cementing a Test spot. Borthwick remains unconvinced.

RUCK Verdict: The fans adore him — the coaches don’t. Time is running out to prove them wrong.

Club: Leicester Tigers
Caps: 2

Hassell-Collins burst onto the scene with two caps in the 2023 Six Nations, only to vanish from the picture just as quickly.

There was even talk of a Wales switch through family heritage, but his recent England A appearance locks him into red-rose eligibility for now. Despite great form for Tigers, Borthwick isn’t biting.

RUCK Verdict: The raw pace and finishing are there — England just aren’t calling.

Club: Northampton Saints
Caps: 1

One of the Premiership’s best young flankers, Pearson continues to bang on the door. He’s excelled for Northampton but can’t seem to convince Borthwick he’s the man for the job.

Others have leapfrogged him into recent squads, leaving Pearson stuck on one cap since 2023.

RUCK Verdict: The potential is obvious — but the England back-row queue is brutally long.

Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it’s time to see just how much you remember!

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