England squad: Highly-rated youngster fills Joe Marler’s void as Steve Borthwick makes two alterations ahead of Australia Test
England prop Joe Marler and an insert of Sale Sharks forward Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has made two changes to his training squad ahead of England’s second Autumn Nations Series match at Twickenham Stadium.
England fell to an agonising 24-22 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in their first Test match this November after George Ford missed a late drop goal to secure the victory.
Steve Borthwick makes two changes
In the aftermath of the loss, Borthwick has made to alterations to the squad with Charlie Ewels replacing Bath teammate Ted Hill while uncapped Sale Sharks prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour replaces veteran Joe Marler.
On Sunday, Marler announced his decision to retire from international rugby with immediate effect having played 95 times for his country since making his debut back in 2012.
“This is the real one this time,” he said. “It’s time for me to move on. The time has come for me to finally hang up my England rugby boots,” the prop said in a video message to England fans.
“I feel very sad but very proud to have been given the chance and the opportunities over the years to represent England and I’ve got so many fond memories of wearing the white shirt.
“I’ve been really, really lucky to experience both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt and I’ll cherish all of them because they all count.
“I can’t wait to sit back and be one of you guys and enjoy where this England team goes moving forward as a proper England rugby fan. Thank you for everything.”
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Marler has been replaced in the squad by a player many view as the future of England’s front-row stocks. 20-year-old Opoku-Fordjour could now make his Test debut with Borthwick’s charges hosting Australia this weekend before games against South Africa and Japan.
Opoku-Fordjour has the ability to play on both sides of the scrum and has done just that for Sale Sharks in the Premiership since making his senior debut at the end of 2023. While has played most of his rugby at tighthead prop this season for Alex Sanderson’s men, he could make his England debut on the other side of the scrum this November.
England’s 36-player squad for the Autumn Nations Series
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Trevor Davison, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill
Backs: Elliot Daly, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Lozowski, Luke Northmore, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet
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