Get ready for a rugby revolution! England's Six Nations 2026 squad is in for a dramatic overhaul as they gear up to face Italy this Saturday. But here's where it gets controversial: head coach Steve Borthwick is not just tinkering—he’s tearing down and rebuilding the entire backline. With two injuries and a role shift, every position in the backline could see a new face, marking a bold departure from the lineup that faced Ireland.
Northampton’s Fin Smith is set to step into the fly-half role, replacing George Ford, while Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson is poised to make his mark as England’s inside centre in Rome. And this is the part most people miss: with Ollie Lawrence sidelined due to a knee injury, Tommy Freeman is likely to shift from the wing to the midfield, a move that could redefine England’s attacking dynamics.
This reshuffle doesn’t stop there. Tom Roebuck is expected to fill Freeman’s spot on the wing, with Cadan Murley tipped to start on the opposite flank, replacing Henry Arundell. Meanwhile, the full-back position is up for grabs, with Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly vying to take Freddie Steward’s place. Steward, who was substituted at halftime during England’s 42-21 defeat to Ireland, faces an uncertain future in the starting XV.
With scrum-half Alex Mitchell injured, Ben Spencer is set to step in, adding another layer of change to the mix. England veteran Danny Care has weighed in, praising Daly’s experience and powerful left boot, noting his proven track record in high-stakes Test matches.
But is this radical overhaul justified? Borthwick’s selections have been anything but conventional. In just over a year, he’s experimented with three different fly-halves, shuffled wingers and flankers into the centres, and rotated back-three options, creating a versatile arsenal. Yet, completely overhauling the backline—even with forced changes—feels like his riskiest move yet.
Cohesion, a buzzword last year, has been sacrificed for fresh faces and untested combinations. Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman have never played together as a centre partnership, and Atkinson and Fin Smith only started once together for Worcester’s first team back in February 2022 before parting ways.
England’s recent performances in the Six Nations have been a far cry from their 12-match winning streak, lacking both tactical agility and basic accuracy. The management might argue that squad depth, developed during tours like the summer trip to Argentina, is pointless if not used to shake things up when first-choice players underperform.
However, such drastic changes put immense pressure on the team. England’s players have often spoken of their strong team spirit and culture, but that unity will be truly tested during this slump. While few of the dropped players can complain about their recent performances, some may feel they’ve earned enough credit from England’s winning streak to avoid the chopping block.
How will this new backline gel? Can the squad rally together for a challenging trip to Rome? These questions make this match a must-watch.
What do you think? Is Borthwick’s gamble a stroke of genius or a recipe for disaster? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take on this bold strategy!
