England Unveil Bold Six Nations Squad With Uncapped Trio

England rugby fans, buckle up! The 2026 Six Nations is right around the corner, and head coach Steve Borthwick has just unveiled a 36-player squad brimming with both seasoned internationals and fresh faces eager to make their mark. The announcement, made on January 23, 2026, sets the stage for England’s campaign opener against Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on February 7—a fixture that’s already generating plenty of buzz given the teams’ storied rivalry and England’s emphatic 68-14 win in Cardiff a year ago.

Let’s get right to the headline news: three uncapped players—Vilikesa Sela, Emmanuel Iyogun, and Greg Fisilau—have been called up, injecting a dose of youthful energy and ambition into a squad that’s riding high on an 11-match winning streak. Sela, a 20-year-old Bath prop long tipped for greatness, finds himself thrust into the spotlight after injuries sidelined tightheads Will Stuart and Asher Opoku-Fordjour for the entire tournament. "I'm really pleased that Billy Sela is in the England senior squad for the first time—a player of exceptional talent and potential," Borthwick said, underscoring the faith he’s placed in the youngster.

Emmanuel Iyogun, the Northampton loosehead, also gets his shot, stepping in for Fin Baxter, who’s working his way back from a foot injury and will miss at least the Wales opener. Iyogun’s development at Northampton has been impressive, particularly in the scrum, and he’s responded well to the challenges posed by international competition. Greg Fisilau, meanwhile, has forced his way back into the reckoning with a string of dynamic performances for Exeter Chiefs. The athletic No 8 has been on the radar since breaking into the Chiefs’ first team during the 2023/24 season and is now ready to compete for a back-row spot.

England’s squad isn’t just about new blood, though. Full-back George Furbank returns after an injury-plagued season that saw him play just six times for Northampton. He’s hoping to earn his first England cap since 2024, and Borthwick is delighted to have him back in the fold. "George worked really hard to come back from injury and he had eight or nine weeks of consistently playing and training very well through that period," Borthwick explained. "Two or three weeks later, he had a little knock but he’s back on the grass and will be involved in some game-time this weekend. It’s been a while since he was in the squad but he’s a super player, a 15 who also offers 10 cover. He has a great understanding of the backs given the number that come from Northampton so I'm delighted to be able to select him."

The selection process wasn’t without its headaches. Injuries have forced Borthwick’s hand in several positions, especially in the front row. Will Stuart’s ruptured Achilles and Asher Opoku-Fordjour’s shoulder surgery have left Joe Heyes as the only established tighthead prop available for the Wales opener. Fin Baxter, though named in the squad, is still recovering and will travel to Girona, Spain, alongside Ben Curry, Ollie Lawrence, Tom Roebuck, and Fin Smith for a warm-weather training camp and rehabilitation. All are expected to feature at some point during the tournament, but their absence for the opening clash highlights the depth England must now rely on.

Notable absences through injury include Oscar Beard, Charlie Ewels, Curtis Langdon, George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Adam Radwan, and Will Stuart. Lock George Martin is ruled out, paving the way for Arthur Clark’s return to the second row options. The rehab group, along with the main squad, will assemble in Girona next week to fine-tune preparations for what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament.

Borthwick’s approach has been praised for its consistency and the blend of experience and youth. "We’ve picked a squad with a good balance of experience, leadership and exciting potential," he said. "We have a super group of senior, experienced Test players as well as these young players who are doing really well, bringing all their talent into the team." The England head coach also emphasized the importance of preparation: "The margins in the Guinness Six Nations are incredibly fine so our aim over the coming days is to come together quickly, prepare thoroughly, and make sure we’re ready to perform. If we prepare well and keep demanding the highest levels from one another, it puts us in the strongest possible position when the Championship begins."

The midfield battle will be one to watch, with five centre options vying for places and Ollie Lawrence working his way back from a knee injury. England’s back three includes the likes of Elliot Daly, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, Cadan Murley, and Freddie Steward—offering plenty of firepower and versatility. Tommy Freeman, a mainstay on the wing, is excited about the squad’s camaraderie and the facilities in Girona: "It’s a great squad. The same faces, which is always good. You’re around similar people, playing what you’re used to, and really getting to know the connections with those players. It’s an awesome place to go with the facilities and everything: it’s the top of the top and you’re with the best players in the country," he told The Guardian.

England’s schedule is a gauntlet: after the opener against Wales, they travel to Edinburgh for the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland on February 14, then host Ireland on February 21. The campaign concludes with away fixtures against Italy (March 7) and defending champions France (March 14)—the latter potentially shaping up as a grand slam decider, should England’s momentum continue. France remain the bookmakers’ favorites to retain their title, but England are widely considered the most likely to upset the French apple cart.

Off the field, the squad has rallied around captain Maro Itoje, who announced the passing of his mother in December 2025—a poignant reminder of the personal challenges players face alongside their professional commitments.

For fans eager to follow every twist and turn, all England matches in the 2026 Six Nations will be broadcast on ITV, marking the first time the network has exclusive rights to every England fixture in the tournament.

As the Six Nations approaches, England’s blend of experience, youthful exuberance, and a settled core could prove decisive. With the likes of Sela, Iyogun, and Fisilau pushing for debuts, and senior players returning to fitness, the squad looks primed for a serious title challenge. The action kicks off soon, and with so much at stake, rugby fans everywhere will be watching closely as England’s Six Nations story unfolds.