Steve Borthwick makes Owen Farrell recall decision

The 112-cap veteran was missing from England's September training squad despite returning to Saracens following his spell in France.

Farrell hasn't played for England since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Three years on, a comeback looks no closer.

Borthwick has previously insisted the door remains open, but actions speak louder than words.

The England boss explained his stance on a potential Farrell recall, making clear that the former captain's immediate focus was enjoying his club rugby again.

And with George Ford, Fin Smith and Marcus Smith all fighting for the number ten shirt, Farrell isn't exactly short of competition.

The former captain isn't alone, either.

From a Bath centre who can win Man of the Match for England and still struggle to get picked, to a winger who could probably outrun the team bus, here are five players seemingly stuck on the wrong side of Borthwick's selection plans.

Remember when England couldn't imagine a starting XV without Owen Farrell?

Those days feel a long time ago.

The former captain has 112 caps, more than 1,200 international points and three World Cups on his CV. Not a bad little résumé.

Yet he hasn't worn an England shirt since 2023.

His move to Racing 92 initially ruled him out under the RFU's overseas selection policy. Fair enough. Those are the rules.

But Farrell is back at Saracens now, and the phone still hasn't rung with a recall.

Borthwick has previously explained why Farrell remains outside his plans, but the competition at fly-half remains fierce.

At 35 next month, he's hardly one for the future. But England aren't exactly overflowing with players who have captained their country in a World Cup final.

You wouldn't necessarily start him. You might not even put him on the bench.

But is he really not worth another look?

This one is difficult to understand.

For a while, Ollie Lawrence looked like the answer to England's midfield problems.

Big, powerful and capable of smashing through defensive lines, the Bath centre offered something England had been missing.

Then, suddenly, he's on the outside looking in.

His omission was among the biggest talking points when Borthwick left several established stars out of his September squad.

The decision to favour Benhard Janse van Rensburg has also sparked criticism.

Lawrence is hardly some untested youngster hoping for a first cap.

He's been there, done it and proved he can perform at Test level.

England have spent years searching for a centre who can consistently get them over the gain line.

It would be rather strange to forget about one they've already found.

Imagine winning Man of the Match for England and then wondering what else you need to do to get picked.

Welcome to Max Ojomoh's world.

The Bath playmaker was outstanding against Argentina last November, scoring a try and showing exactly why so many people rate him.

Yet regular England opportunities have remained frustratingly hard to come by.

Former England stars Will Greenwood and Clive Woodward both backed Ojomoh for a starting role during the Six Nations.

Jeremy Guscott also questioned his continued England omission, suggesting the Bath youngster had already done enough to deserve another chance.

And Ojomoh himself hasn't hidden his frustration.

The centre opened up about being overlooked, revealing that England's coaches wanted improvements in his work rate, defensive intensity and post-contact metres.

Ojomoh has the hands, vision and attacking instincts to make England's midfield considerably more interesting.

His September absence was linked to a calf injury, so it would be unfair to blame Borthwick for that particular omission.

But the wider question remains.

If a young centre can deliver a Man of the Match performance against Argentina and still struggle to establish himself, what exactly is the audition process?

Adam Radwan could probably give most international wingers a ten-metre head start and still fancy his chances.

The Leicester Tigers speedster has been one of English rugby's most exciting attacking talents for years.

He scored a hat-trick against Canada on his England debut in 2021.

Three tries. One game. Not a bad introduction.

Yet his international career has never really taken off.

Radwan was again among the big names overlooked by Borthwick ahead of England's autumn preparations.

Borthwick clearly values other qualities in his wingers, particularly their work without the ball.

And that's fair enough. International rugby isn't a 100-metre sprint.

But Radwan offers something defenders absolutely hate: genuine, frightening pace.

Sometimes you need someone who can turn a half-chance into seven points.

England have plenty of hardworking wingers.

They don't have many quite like Radwan.

Here's a player who once looked capable of becoming England's answer to Jonah Lomu.

Alright, perhaps that was getting a little carried away.

But when Joe Cokanasiga first burst onto the international scene, the excitement was understandable.

At his best, the Bath giant combines enormous power with the sort of footwork you don't expect from someone his size.

He scored 13 tries in his first 16 England appearances.

That's a pretty handy strike rate.

Yet Cokanasiga hasn't played for England since August 2023.

Injuries haven't helped, and England certainly aren't short of options out wide.

But there aren't many players in the Gallagher PREM who offer his particular combination of size and finishing ability.

Now there's another twist.

As RUCK revealed earlier this month, Cokanasiga has completed the three-year stand-down period required to apply for an international switch.

Born in Suva, the winger qualifies for Fiji and could represent the Flying Fijians if his application is approved.

There is no suggestion he has decided to make the switch.

But imagine England spending years trying to unlock his potential, only to find themselves facing him in a Fiji shirt.

That would certainly raise a few eyebrows.

And given his ability to bulldoze defenders, it might be a decision Borthwick comes to regret.