England winners and losers: ‘Genius’ scrum-half ‘proves a point’ while Saracens men lose key positional battles

Ben Spencer (left), Dan Frost (centre), Maro Itoje (right)
Following the latest round of Premiership action, we take a look at the main winners and losers from an England perspective with the Six Nations squad announcement looming.
Winners
Will Muir
Bath winger Will Muir put in an almighty performance in his side’s win over Saracens and will be banging on Steve Borthwick’s door for the Six Nations as a result. Muir displayed his customary scoring touch as he bagged a fine hat-trick, but his work around the pitch is what should excite the England boss. He constantly came off his wing to look for work, made consistent in-roads through the defence and was also a menace in the air. Sensational performance from Muir.
Ben Spencer
Speaking of sensational showings from a Bath back, Ben Spencer was at his absolute best against his former side. A lot of the focus gets drawn onto the creativity of Finn Russell, but Saturday’s win highlighted he wouldn’t be anywhere near his current form without the genius scrum-half next to him. Spencer was in delicious touch throughout his stint and showed that creative edge that Borthwick wants him to have; whilst proving a point to the England boss.
Alfie Barbeary
His injury and concussion issues have blighted him in the past, but if Alfie Barbeary can perform like this every week he will surely win a Test cap sooner rather than later. The powerhouse number eight was everywhere in his side’s win over Saracens on Saturday, contributing big effort after big effort. Crucially, he also got the better of opposite number, and current England starter, Ben Earl, which should leave Borthwick salivating.
Ollie Lawrence
Seems a man reborn back in club colours, and his performance against Saracens should be the blueprint for how he should be used for the Six Nations. His smash-and-bash carrying was utilised well, when required, but on top of that he caused chaos in that slightly wider 13 channel and was able to drag his side up the pitch as a result.
Tom Pearson
The focus seems to be shifting onto breakthrough star Henry Pollock in the Saints back-row, but Tom Pearson reminded us of his genuine class against Newcastle. He nabbed himself a tidy brace, but it was his work around the park that deserves the most credit as he worked tirelessly in both defence and attack to put in a complete performance. Pearson faces a lot of competition in the back-row, but this could be a performance that puts him back in Borthwick’s mind.
Tommy Freeman
Whilst he is already an established starter for England, Tommy Freeman looked back to his destructive best this weekend in a fine performance. His aerial prowess and general work around the park were so pivotal in getting Northampton on the front-foot, but importantly it seemed he was playing with a smile on his face again, which is when we see the best of Freeman. This will have pleased Borthwick no end.
Trevor Davison
It was a hard Autumn Nations Series for the Northampton tighthead, but he channelled all his frustration into a standout performance against his former side this weekend. His two early tries were crucial in giving Northampton that early buffer, and he put on a scrummaging clinic to boot. Tighthead is a position England are particularly weak in, but his latest stellar showing could give him a boost into the squad come the Six Nations.
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Alex Mitchell
His return to full fitness is much-welcomed news for both Northampton and England, and on Saturday he showed exactly why people consider him the locked-in Test starter. The wily number nine injected some serious pace into his side’s attack, and combined this brilliantly with that usual threat around the ruck. A big sign of his impact on the game was when he went off just after half-time, the game slowed down.
Tommy Wyatt
The Exeter back has been a bright spark in a truly bleak season to date, but he was awesome in their win over Gloucester and could very easily see himself drafted into Borthwick’s squad. His ability to play both full-back and wing actually makes him incredibly dangerous around the park, and that was on full show against Gloucester as he constantly found himself in different spaces. He also had the defenders on toast with his zig-zag running and was able to break through the line with relative ease. Watch this space.
Dan Frost
Another man putting his hand up was Dan Frost, who put in a breathtaking display in the front-row. His mobility around the park makes him such a genuine threat, but he balances that with power and an ability to also put in the hard graft too. Frost also stood tall in defence when called upon. Borthwick likes his hookers – especially replacements – to be a bit more mobile around the park, so he could easily slot into that role well if called upon.
Ethan Roots
Rob Baxter sang his praises in the post-match press conference, and for good reason too as he was simply phenomenal. He looked to have rediscovered his best form against Gloucester, the form which got him into the England starting XV a year ago, as he charged around the pitch making big impact after big impact. Again, he faces serious competition for a spot in the back-row, but he brings that physicality Borthwick wants from his pack.
Raffi Quirke
If not for injuries, Raffi Quirke could be Borthwick’s go-to scrum-half. He looked like the player Eddie Jones handed a debut to back in 2022 against Bristol. The Sale man was right at the heart of his side’s win at Ashton Gate with a brilliant showing, but crucially showed he can balance styles to get the best out of those around him. He’s picked a very good time to make his case for the Six Nations too, with the squad announcement in a few weeks’ time.
Ben Curry
He might be the lesser talked about twin, but Ben Curry was also in brilliant touch against Bristol. He set the tone in defence with some monstrous hits, which in turn inspired the rest of the team to step up. In attack, he also carried hard when called upon and nabbed himself a try too.
Lewis Ludlow
The Gloucester skipper has been in the international wilderness since 2021, but could he be in line to make a return to the fold this Six Nations? His leadership has always been a key part of his game, but against Exeter he took another step up and nearly inspired a famous comeback. Ludlow also did what any good number seven does and made himself a real nuisance at the breakdown, producing plenty of turnovers.
Marcus Smith
The Harlequins fly-half set the Allianz Stadium pitch alight once again in a marvellous display. His dazzling feet managed to get around the Leicester press with ease, but again he showed that extra bit of game management that fans have been calling for. He also shifted into 15 well when called upon, which is another plus in Borthwick’s book should he be needed here for the Six Nations.
Luke Northmore
He has been around the England squad for a while now, but his powerful display against Leicester should have Borthwick licking his lips. Northmore was deployed as a serious battering-ram in the Quins midfield but excelled in this role as he managed to get his side consistently on the upper hand and also crossed the whitewash as a result. His ability to play both 12 and 13 is also a big tick in his box for the Six Nations.
Cadan Murley
How this man doesn’t have a cap I’ll never know, but Cadan Murley was in great touch yet again for Harlequins this weekend. The winger was a consistent threat out wide, and added another two tries to his collection to cap off a great display. His speed and power were a real asset, and it was fitting he managed to do this in front of Borthwick, at the Allianz.
Freddie Steward
His attacking revolution continues! If he wasn’t already, he certainly is now the front-runner to take over from George Furbank in the 15 jersey should the Northampton man miss the Six Nations. He kept looking for different gaps around the field, and importantly he began to take them; which is yet another step forward in his attacking shift.
Losers
Ben Earl
As mentioned above, Saracens back-rower Earl was bested by opposite number Barbeary at the Rec, which isn’t a good look this close to the Six Nations squad announcement. He is usually in great touch though, so this could be just a blip.
Maro Itoje
Like Earl, Maro Itoje lost a key positional battle against Charlie Ewels and was second-best for much of the game. Itoje is a world-class player when on song though, so again it could be just a blip.
Nick Isiekwe
He was fairly solid around the park, in his defence, but he came off with a knock and never came back. A shame for him, as he was looking in decent form building into the Six Nations.
Harry Randall
In a weekend where scrum-halves were on their best form, Harry Randall found himself bested by Quirke at Ashton Gate. Randall has been in inspired form this season though, so again this was a massive shame for him to pull this out before the Six Nations.
Alex Lozowski
Another Saracens man who was beaten by an England competitor, the usually classy Alex Lozowski was just left chasing shadows against Lawrence. Harsh on him, as he has been quality this season and endured a frustrating autumn too.
George Ford
Looked to have been back to full fitness, but he limped off in Sale’s victory over Ashton Gate. Hopefully, this isn’t a serious knock.
Gabriel Ibitoye
The brilliant Gabriel Ibitoye was another one who came off with an injury on Friday night. Given his form this year for the Bears, especially in the last month, you would have thought he would have been a shoo-in for the squad.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
There is still no definitive date on a possible return for the winger, with Baxter confirming he is set to undergo a second scan on his shoulder.