Statement: Steve Borthwick calls up three players ahead of Scotland clash

Rugby News
Sunday, 08 February 2026 at 18:29
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England have named a 36-man squad that assembled at the Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park on Sunday evening as preparations began for next weekend’s Guinness Six Nations showdown with Scotland.
Steve Borthwick’s players will spend the week in camp ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield on Saturday 14 February (4.40pm kick-off, live on ITV1), with a blend of established internationals, emerging talent and a handful of squad bolters selected.
Among those included are three players who were not part of the wider list, each offering something slightly different to England’s options moving forward.
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.

George Kloska: Front-row depth option

The Bristol Bears loosehead has been rewarded for his consistency at club level. Uncapped at Test level, Kloska is strong in the carry, dependable at set-piece and effective around the breakdown. His inclusion highlights England’s desire to strengthen their front-row resources as the championship unfolds.

Ollie Lawrence: Gain-line power in midfield

Lawrence continues his return to international contention after an impressive run of form with Bath. One of England’s most destructive carriers, he brings physicality, defensive edge and the ability to operate at either inside or outside centre — a valuable asset against confrontational opposition.

Fin Smith: Tactical alternative at No.10

The Northampton Saints playmaker adds calm and control to England’s fly-half options. Smith’s game management, kicking accuracy and composure under pressure provide a stylistic contrast to Marcus Smith, giving England greater flexibility in how they steer matches.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso & Max Ojomoh

Feyi-Waboso was ruled out of England’s emphatic 48–7 demolition of Wales at Twickenham after suffering a serious hamstring injury in training last Thursday. Borthwick has since confirmed he's seen a specialist and will be out for weeks. Ojomoh also drops out of the squad.

England training squad

Forwards:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).
Backs:
Henry Arundell (Bath Rugby), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).
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Rehabilitation:
Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby), George Furbank (Northampton Saints).
England will head north aiming to build momentum, with Murrayfield once again expected to provide one of the sternest tests of the Six Nations.

EDITORS PICKS:

    Five players who flopped in the opening round: 2026 Six Nations

    Opening weekend brilliance inevitably brings its flip side. While several stars thrived, others found Round One of the 2026 Six Nations unforgiving.
    Whether through tactical exposure, ill-discipline or simply being on the wrong side of momentum, these players endured difficult outings.
    Six Nations Round One Results


      Sam Prendergast (Ireland)

      A performance that highlighted both promise and peril. With ball in hand, Prendergast showed why Ireland are excited — his willingness to play flat and distribute improved noticeably after half-time.
      Defensively, though, France were merciless. The Irish No.10 channel was repeatedly targeted, and his hesitancy in contact became a pressure point that France exploited ruthlessly.
      At Test level, defensive fragility isn’t just a weakness — it becomes an invitation.

      Finn Russell (Scotland)

      A subdued evening in Rome. With Scotland consistently retreating, Russell struggled to impose himself or control territory.
      A kick-off straight into touch handed Italy a costly penalty, while a missed conversion later denied Scotland the chance to apply late pressure.
      The conditions were brutal and the kick was right on the touchline, but by his own standards this was a disappointing night for Scotland’s chief playmaker.

      Dewi Lake (Wales)

      Usually Wales’ most dependable forward, Lake endured a first half to forget. Lineout accuracy dipped, a sin-bin spell hurt his side, and a failed tap-and-go squandered a rare attacking opportunity before the break.
      He never fully recovered his influence on return, and his outing mirrored a miserable night for the visitors.

      Ellis Genge (England)

      A high-output performance blunted by ill-discipline. Genge was heavily involved — leading England’s tackle count early and carrying with intent — but too often undermined his own work.
      A needless confrontation reversed a penalty, he was later caught offside, and he allowed Wales to milk further infringements.
      Even when England were camped on the Welsh line, he was held up over the line. Busy, committed, but disruptive.

      Thomas Clarkson (Ireland)

      A tough initiation at Test level. Clarkson was pitched straight into battle against a dominant French pack and spent much of the night under pressure. Facing Jean-Baptiste Gros, Ireland struggled to gain any ascendancy at scrum time.
      He kept working and never went missing, but the set-piece creaked at key moments and failed to provide a stable platform.
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