England Rugby Shake-Up: Farrell and Willis Absent as Borthwick Bets on Youth for Autumn Internationals
Steve Borthwick's 36-man England training squad sees veteran stars Farrell and Willis excluded while blooding young talent like 19-year-old Noah Caluori ahead of crucial autumn Tests against rugby powerhouses.
Strategic Squad Selection Raises Eyebrows
England head coach Steve Borthwick has made bold selection decisions for autumn international preparations, omitting 112-cap veteran Owen Farrell and dynamic back-rower Tom Willis from his 36-man training squad. This move signals a potential generational shift as England prepare to face Southern Hemisphere giants Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina.
New Blood Emerges
- Noah Caluori (19): Saracens wing earns call-up after electrifying 5-try Premiership debut
- Emeka Ilione (22): Leicester flanker promoted following standout Championship performances
- Henry Pollock (20): Northampton openside among six uncapped players in camp
Midfield Reshuffle
With Gloucester's Seb Atkinson injured, Borthwick opts for:
- Fraser Dingwall (Northampton) - defensive organizer
- Henry Slade (Exeter) - creative distributor
- Ollie Lawrence (Bath) - powerful ball carrier (recovered from Achilles injury)
Notable Absences Explained
- Farrell's Exclusion: Despite returning from Racing 92, the former skipper remains outside plans
- Willis' Omission: Bordeaux-bound backrow becomes ineligible under RFU selection policy
- Marcus Smith Retained: Harlequins playmaker survives cut despite inconsistent form
Autumn Test Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2 | Australia | Twickenham |
| Nov 9 | Fiji | Tottenham HS |
| Nov 16 | New Zealand | Twickenham |
| Nov 23 | Argentina | Twickenham |
Expert Analysis: "Borthwick's squad shows courage," former England scrum-half Matt Dawson told BBC Sport. "Blooding Caluori against SH defenses could be inspired or disastrous - that's the gamble of regeneration."
Injury Watch
- Ellis Genge (shoulder): Expected to be fit for Australia Test
- Sam Underhill (concussion): Completing return-to-play protocols
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (knee): 80% recovery according to Sale medical staff
With 13 players aged 25 or younger, this squad signals England's long-term vision while maintaining experienced campaigners like Maro Itoje and Jamie George. The true test comes when Twickenham's floodlights ignite next month.
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