Ranked: England’s back-row depth chart ahead of summer tour with Steve Borthwick set for ‘sleepless nights’
From left to right: Henry Pollock, Tom Willis, Chandler Cunningham-South
While Steve Borthwick will have a lot on his mind ahead of England’s summer tour to the Americas, one area in particular will be giving him sleepless nights – the back-row.
There are so many talented options hitting top form right across the Premiership, especially those players looking to break their way into the senior side for the first time.
Borthwick is also afforded the luxury of turning to players that might not have had their shot at Test level either this summer, with Six Nations stars Ben Curry, Tom Curry and Ben Earl all likely to be included in Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad for their tour of Australia.
But, just how does the depth chart look in each of the three key positions in the back-row? Well, here is our take on exactly that.
Tin hats on everyone!
Blindside flanker
Test starter: Chandler Cunningham-South
On tour: Ted Hill
Outside bets: Jack Kenningham, Tom Pearson, Ethan Roots
Borthwick has slightly changed what he wants out of his six since the turn of the year, notably shown by the blockbuster performances of Tom Curry in the Six Nations, but we think he’ll return to the smash-and-bash of Chandler Cunningham-South this summer. The Quins flanker could still tour with the Lions; however, if he misses out, he will certainly be back in the starting XV for England. His physicality and desire to get involved in the tight exchanges will help neutralise the work of Pablo Matera for Los Pumas, and he also offers another line-out option.
Around that, Ted Hill should also see himself involved in one way or another this summer in the Americas. While he didn’t quite get a proper go of it in the Six Nations, with two incredibly brief cameos against Scotland and Italy, his involvement in the wider squads proves he is still high in Borthwick’s thinking. He also adds some versatility to their pack with his ability to cover lock if needed.
There is also a strong group of players pushing to be in the mix, with Jack Kenningham, Tom Pearson and Ethan Roots leading the charge. Kenningham and Pearson both excelled on England A duty last month and showed they can both be real menaces at the breakdown, which is what Borthwick is starting to want out of his number six. Roots has also hit some good form of late and looks to be the player that Borthwick capped in the 2024 Six Nations. His hamstring injury is a slight concern, though.
Openside flanker
Test starter: Henry Pollock
On tour: Guy Pepper
Outside bets: Will Evans, Fitz Harding, Lewis Ludlow
Again, competition is incredibly fierce for the number seven shirt this summer, and some of the options listed above could very easily be in this section too, but this feels the perfect time to give Henry Pollock the starting jersey. The Northampton starlet showed he was very comfortable on the Test stage against Wales in the Six Nations and is commanding a spot off the back of his recent outings for the Saints too, but crucially, he is a player who feeds off big moments like this. He is the definition of a confidence player, and right now he is absolutely brimming with it. Borthwick needs to capitalise on that.
Guy Pepper is also looking likely to tour this summer after some exceptional performances of late for Bath. The former Newcastle flanker has already been involved with the England senior side in his early career, but he also just seems to be getting better and better with every game in the Surf the Web/Caviar (the actual shirt colours) and deserves a crack at the big time as a result.
Again, there’s a core of English number sevens trying to work their way into Borthwick’s side, and Will Evans, Fitz Harding and Lewis Ludlow are right in the mix for inclusion this summer. All three have been in terrific form for their respective club sides, but would all add their own unique skills to the back-row and form a very complete unit.
Number eight
Test starter: Tom Willis
On tour: Greg Fisilau
Outside bets: Alfie Barbeary, Alex Dombrandt, Callum Chick
Like Cunningham-South, if Tom Willis doesn’t head to Australia with the Lions this year he will certainly start at number eight for England. The Saracens man had a very strong Six Nations campaign, proving why people were crying out for him to make the squad, and quickly became a key man in the pack. He just carried tirelessly throughout his respective outings, helping England get consistent front-foot ball as a result.
Exeter’s Greg Fisilau is also made of the same stuff, and his very impressive performances of late have helped him climb up the pecking order. Like Willis, he just loves to get his hands on the ball and charge into contact, often winning the physicality battle too, and he more than puts himself about in defence too. He has also shone for England A in the past and Borthwick has drafted him into various senior squads previously, so there’s no reason why he won’t tour.
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Alfie Barbeary, Alex Dombrandt and Callum Chick will also be banging on Borthwick’s door for a potential call-up this summer. Again, all three of them would be more than viable options too given their abilities in the tight.
Curious case
We couldn’t do a depth chart piece without mentioning Sam Underhill. The Bath flanker has proved time and time again he is the ultimate Test match beast, even with his injury issues; but that in itself makes him a very curious case heading into the summer tour. He will almost certainly be in Farrell’s mind ahead of the Lions squad selection too, but if he doesn’t make that squad Borthwick faces a potential dilemma to either draft him into the squad or give him an extended break and pre-season.
Previous examples show he could still include him and play him in the Test side – after all he did exactly that in the 2023 World Cup with Underhill and also called T. Curry back into the squad last year despite his injury woes – but given the extent of his injuries this year it could also be a wise decision to let him rest, get a full pre-season under his belt at Bath and come back fresh for the new season.
Underhill is a fantastic player though, and there’s no doubt he would do some serious damage on this tour of the Americas if he were to be included, but it’s still a very tough balancing act.
Planet Rugby’s England starting back-row for the summer tour
6 Chandler Cunningham-South, 7 Henry Pollock, 8 Tom Willis
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