England star makes international switch this weekend after being frozen out by Steve Borthwick

Thursday, 30 October 2025 at 09:53

bySteven Smith

Max Malins returns to the spotlight this weekend — in black and white, not white and red.

The former England full-back starts for the Barbarians as they face the All Blacks XV at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Saturday, part of a star-studded side dripping with South African talent.

Despite being frozen out by Steve Borthwick since the World Cup, Malins remains one of the most lethal finishers in the game. He’s bagged 28 tries across the past three seasons, a remarkable haul given he spent much of last year sidelined by injury.

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Now, under Pat Lam’s leadership, he gets a chance to remind everyone what he can do — this time in the game’s most famous invitation jersey.

“It’s been an awesome week,” said Lam. “The boys have embraced the Barbarian spirit. The challenge now is coming together as one to take on a quality All Blacks XV.”

South African spine

Hanro Liebenberg, the Leicester Tigers captain, leads a side dominated by his countrymen — 11 South Africans start, including double World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi anchoring the scrum between Oli Kebble and Asenathi Ntlabakanye.

The backline is a mix of power and flair, with Leolin Zas and Werner Kok on the wings, and Argentina’s Matias Moroni adding his usual steel in midfield.

Behind it all, Malins will be pulling the strings from full-back, bringing his trademark intelligence and calm under pressure to a back three that looks ready to entertain.

Depth on the bench

Lam’s replacements are just as loaded. Stormers pair Andre-Hugo Venter and Alistair Vermaak join Connacht’s Jack Aungier for front-row cover, while Cobus Wiese and rising star Batho Hlekani are set to make an impact in the second half.

There’s even more firepower among the backs — Brad Weber, Dan du Plessis, and Rhyno Smith will all look to turn the screw late on.

Barbarian FC team to face All Blacks XV
? Saturday 1 November | ⏰ KO 13:15 | ?️ Gtech Community Stadium, London

Starting XV

Oli Kebble
Bongi Mbonambi
Asenathi Ntlabakanye
Ernst van Rhyn
Ruben van Heerden
Hanro Liebenberg (C)
Fitz Harding
Evan Roos
Rhodri Williams
Rob du Preez
Leolin Zas
Benhard Janse van Rensburg
Matias Moroni
Werner Kok
Max Malins

Replacements
16. Andre-Hugo Venter
17. Alistair Vermaak
18. Jack Aungier
19. Cobus Wiese
20. Batho Hlekani
21. Brad Weber
22. Dan du Plessis
23. Rhyno Smith

Purchase tickets for the Barbarians v All Blacks XV match this Saturday here

"Childish" - Six England players blacklisted by Steve Borthwick

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.

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. 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.

Freddie Steward

Club: Leicester Tigers
Caps: 36

Once an automatic pick, Steward was the definition of reliability — calm under the high ball and rock-solid in defence. But Borthwick’s decision to experiment with Marcus Smith at fullback has seen the Leicester man pushed aside.

Still in the wider squad but without a central contract, Steward’s spot is no longer secure.

RUCK Verdict: Harsh on one of England’s most dependable defenders — punished for consistency, not complacency.

Zach Mercer

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.

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

Joe Cokanasiga

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.

Ollie Hassell-Collins

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.

Tom Pearson (25)

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.

Can you name the entire British & Irish Lions squad from their tour of New Zealand in 2005?

The British & Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand in 2005 remains one of the most talked-about campaigns in rugby history.

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!

Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!

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