Will Greenwood tells Steve Borthwick to recall 74-cap England star

The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner believes one experienced star has done everything possible to force his way back into the starting XV, with England now facing two huge matches.

However, Greenwood did find several positives despite the defeat by South Africa.

“There were undoubtedly some positives for England. Joe Heyes for one. What a player and what a man,” he wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

“He was harshly penalised for a scrum penalty and England’s front row held up well, as did their line-out with a couple of good steals.

“I thought Smith did fine at full-back, especially given the late disruption caused by George Furbank’s withdrawal.”

Greenwood also reserved special praise for Alex Coles and George Martin.

“Alex Coles is turning into a proper Test-match animal and we must, must find a way to keep George Martin fit and get him more minutes on the pitch.

“He is different to anything else we have and I’m not sure anyone else in the country runs over Wiese to score that try. What a moment. Ellis Genge’s try was very well taken, too.”

Greenwood was also encouraged by England’s second-row depth in the absence of Maro Itoje.

“Coles, Martin and Chessum made me feel like we did not miss Maro Itoje too much,” he added.

“It is absolutely the right call to rest him and I reckon England still would have lost by 20-odd points if he were on the park.

“England’s 4-5-6 combination was not what let them down and we will reap the rewards of resting Itoje down the line.”

The player Greenwood wants back in the starting XV is Henry Slade.

The former England centre believes the decision to continue with Tommy Freeman at outside centre should now be reconsidered, particularly given Slade’s recent form.

“The Freeman at centre issue remains unresolved for me,” Greenwood wrote.

“I liked the idea initially of giving him a go at 13 but that was before Henry Slade started playing out of his skin. What more could he have done to be given a crack at a start?

“I would have picked Slade to start against the Boks with Freeman on the wing.”

Greenwood finished with a stark warning for Borthwick ahead of England’s next two fixtures.

“This defeat leaves one inescapable truth. The pressure has been piled on England and Borthwick for the next two matches.

“After all, in 2026, England have won just one game from six. One from six!”