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, and it’s not just about replacing a few players—it’s a complete backline transformation. Head coach Steve Borthwick is pulling no punches, making bold changes that could redefine the team’s future. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this a masterstroke or a risky gamble? Let’s dive in.
Two injuries and a strategic role shift mean the backline could look entirely different from the one 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. With Ollie Lawrence sidelined due to a knee injury, Tommy Freeman is expected to shift from the wing to the midfield, a position he’s familiar with. This reshuffle opens the door for Tom Roebuck to return to the starting lineup, and Cadan Murley is tipped to take over on the other wing, replacing Henry Arundell.
And this is the part most people miss: George Furbank was initially expected to take the full-back spot, but now Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly are in the running to replace Freddie Steward, who was substituted during the first half of England’s 42-21 defeat to Ireland. With Alex Mitchell injured, Ben Spencer is likely to start as the scrum-half.
England veteran Danny Care highlights Daly’s experience as a potential game-changer in high-pressure situations. ‘He’s got a big left boot and a great aerial game,’ Care told Rugby Union Weekly. ‘He’s been there and done it in the biggest Test matches.’ Daly’s 74 caps and three British and Irish Lions tours speak volumes about his reliability.
But here’s the kicker: Steve Borthwick’s selection strategy is far more daring than he’s often credited for. In just over a year, he’s experimented with three different fly-halves, moved wingers and flankers into the centres, and shuffled the back-three options, creating a versatile arsenal. However, completely overhauling the backline—even with some changes forced by injuries—is his boldest move yet.
Cohesion, a buzzword last year, has taken a backseat to fresh faces and untested combinations. Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman have never played a single minute together as a centre partnership. The only time Atkinson and Fin Smith started together was in a home loss for Worcester’s first team against Harlequins in February 2022, before their paths diverged.
So, is this justified? England’s recent performances in the Six Nations—lacking tactical agility and basic accuracy—were a far cry from the team that secured 12 consecutive wins. England’s management might argue that there’s little point in developing squad depth, as seen in their summer tour to Argentina, if they don’t use it to shake things up when the first-choice players underperform. However, such drastic changes put immense pressure on the team.
Here’s the real question: Can a new backline gel quickly enough, and will the squad’s much-touted team spirit withstand this slump in form? While few of the dropped players can complain about their recent performances, some may feel they’ve earned enough credit from England’s year-long winning streak to avoid the axe. How this revamped backline performs in Rome will be fascinating to watch.
What do you think? Is Borthwick’s gamble a stroke of genius or a recipe for disaster? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
