England star left out of central contracts after falling out of favour with Steve Borthwick

Thursday, 18 September 2025 at 14:20

byRugby Rucker

Steve Borthwick has revealed the 25 England stars handed enhanced Elite Player Squad deals for 2025/26 – the coveted contracts that give the RFU full say on their training and availability.

“I am pleased to name the players who will receive an enhanced EPS contract this season,” said Borthwick. “These contracts, together with our strong relationship with the Premiership clubs, will continue to play an important role in the ongoing development of England Rugby.”

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It’s a strong list — Genge, Itoje, Ford, Earl, the Smiths (Marcus and Fin) — but also a selection that raises eyebrows. Theo Dan is the only casualty, losing his deal after sliding down the hooker pecking order.

More surprising is who’s in: Henry Slade and Elliot Daly. Both will be 34 come the next Rugby World Cup, and while Daly has enjoyed a recent revival, Slade’s inclusion feels more like loyalty than future-proofing. For a coach who talks constantly about “building for the next four years,” it’s a curious call.

Even stranger is the absence of Chandler Cunningham-South. The versatile forward has been in England’s last 20 matchday squads and looked every bit an international in this summer’s Tests.

Given his ongoing lock-vs-back-row debate, you’d think the RFU would jump at the chance to shape his development more closely.

Instead, Borthwick’s 25 look like a squad set to win now — or at least to hold steady — rather than gamble on fresh blood. Perhaps that’s the point: England’s World Cup cycle is only just starting, but the coach clearly believes experienced heads will steady the ship. The risk? By 2027, those heads may be a little too experienced.

Winners & Losers

Winners:

Marcus & Fin Smith — young talents with contracts that show faith in England’s future playmakers
Maro Itoje & Ellis Genge — world-class stalwarts still fully trusted
Elliot Daly — late-career revival rewarded

Losers:

Henry Slade — veteran inclusion raises questions about fresh blood opportunities

Theo Dan — only player to lose his central contract, a blow to Saracens and his England hopes

Chandler Cunningham-South — snubbed despite consistent matchday squad appearances and growth

England Men’s enhanced EPS contracts

Fin Baxter (Harlequins)

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)

Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)

Elliot Daly (Saracens)

Ben Earl (Saracens)

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)

George Ford (Sale Sharks)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)

George Furbank (Northampton Saints)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)

Jamie George (Saracens)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

Maro Itoje (Saracens)

Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers)

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)

Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)

Tom Willis (Saracens)

2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool

The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, expanding to 24 teams and hosted by Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.

The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here’s a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.

Pool A

New Zealand – The Mighty All Blacks

The All Blacks are perennial powerhouses with three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). They reached the final in 2023 but were narrowly defeated by South Africa 12–11.

Argentina – Los Pumas on the Prowl

Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.

Portugal – The Lusitanian Lancers

Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.

USA – The Eagle Soars

The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.

Pool B

Ireland – The Emerald Warriors

Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.

Scotland – The Braveheart Tacklers

Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport's elite.

Uruguay – Los Teros Tenacious

Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.

Chile – The Rugby Condors

Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.

Pool C

South Africa – The Springbok Stalwarts

South Africa are masters of forward play and history-makers, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 12–11 victory over New Zealand.

Fiji – The Flying Fijians

Fiji’s flair and skill make them exciting to watch, blending tradition with dynamic attacking rugby.

Tonga – The Island Titans

Tonga brings relentless physicality and passion, often punching above their weight.

Romania – The Oak Strongmen

Romania has a long-standing rugby tradition, emphasizing forward dominance and set-piece strength.

Pool D

France – Les Bleus Unleashed

France is unpredictable and dynamic, capable of taking down any team with flair and creativity.

Italy – The Azzurri Avengers

Italy has steadily improved, developing young talent and focusing on competitive consistency.

Spain – The Iberian Bulls

Spain is emerging in European rugby, combining speed, skill, and growing experience on the international stage.

Hong Kong China – The Dragon Chargers

Hong Kong China qualified for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, defeating South Korea 70–22 in the final. This marks a significant milestone for rugby in Asia.

Pool E

England – The Red Rose Rampagers

England has a rich rugby heritage, with a strong domestic league and impressive international pedigree.

Georgia – The Scrum Kings

Known for their formidable scrum and forward play, Georgia is a rising force in European rugby.

Samoa – The Island Hurricanes

Samoa’s team combines skill, physicality, and a passionate rugby culture.

Canada – The Maple Warriors

Canada continues to develop their program, aiming to compete strongly on the world stage.

Pool F

Australia – The Wallabies on Home Turf

The host nation brings talent and experience, ready to dazzle crowds across seven cities.

Wales – The Dragon Fire

Wales is known for passionate supporters and a team that often exceeds expectations.

Japan – The Rising Sun Speedsters

Japan has become a force with speed, discipline, and memorable performances in previous World Cups.

Zimbabwe – The Sables’ Return

Zimbabwe qualified for 2027 by defeating Namibia 30–28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.

Tournament Format

The 24-team format features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including a Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.

Host Cities

Matches will take place across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.

Ticketing

Over 2.5 million tickets will be available, with travel packages launching in 2026.

QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men’s Rugby World Cups?

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