England rugby fans hoping for a triumphant Owen Farrell return this autumn will have to wait a little longer. The 34-year-old Saracens legend, England’s all-time leading points scorer, has been left out of head coach Steve Borthwick’s initial preparations for the Autumn Nations Series, extending his two-year absence from international duty. Farrell’s omission, announced on October 19, 2025, comes despite his recent eligibility after returning to Saracens from French side Racing 92 earlier this summer.
Farrell’s journey over the past two years has been anything but straightforward. After steering England to a third-place finish at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France—where he overtook Jonny Wilkinson as England’s all-time highest points scorer—the former captain stepped away from the national team to prioritize his and his family’s mental well-being. He then spent a challenging season in France’s Top 14 with Racing 92, grappling with injuries and inconsistent form. Despite these setbacks, Farrell’s class shone through when he was called up late to the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia this past summer, where he contributed off the bench in the final two Tests, helping the Lions secure a 2-1 series victory.
Now back at Saracens and eligible for England selection, Farrell has made his intentions clear. According to Steve Borthwick, “Owen has gone out quite publicly and said a number of times that for right now, it’s just to get back to playing rugby back in England, enjoying his rugby after a difficult year injury-wise last season.” Borthwick emphasized to Sky Sports that, “We’re only a handful of games into this season, so I don’t think that’s a discussion for right now. I’m delighted with the players that are here and the exciting depth of talent we have. My attitude to these kind of situations is that the door is never closed. As far as I’m concerned, I’m watching every English player playing.”
While Farrell’s absence is the main talking point, he’s not the only high-profile name missing from England’s autumn plans. Tom Willis, the Saracens number eight who has won eight caps for his country, has also been omitted. Willis’s exclusion follows the confirmation from his club that he will depart at the end of the season to play for Bordeaux in the French Top 14, making him ineligible for England selection under current regulations. Willis’s move comes after a strong summer tour with England, where he impressed in matches against Argentina and the United States. Borthwick acknowledged the difficulty of Willis’s decision, saying, “Players all have decisions to make, and a player of his quality is clearly wanted and in demand from many different clubs. I think from my point of view, Tom told me his decision, it sounds like he’s agonised over that decision for some time.”
In their place, Borthwick has injected fresh blood into the squad. Former England Under-20s captain and Leicester Tigers back-rower Emeka Ilione has been called up, signaling a nod to the future. But the biggest buzz surrounds 19-year-old Saracens winger Noah Caluori, who has been fast-tracked into the England camp as a ‘Development Player’ after a jaw-dropping Premiership debut. Caluori lit up the StoneX Stadium by scoring five tries against Sale Sharks—yes, five!—in just his third Premiership appearance, catching the attention of fans and selectors alike. Borthwick praised the youngster’s rapid rise: “He’s a player who’s been on the radar for some time, coming through the England pathway system. I think everyone’s known there’s an exciting talent there. The rate of his development has accelerated over these last number of months. That’s great credit to him and great credit to the club.”
Caluori, already familiar to England supporters from his exploits with the England U20 squad in the recent World Championships, made his Saracens debut during the 2025 pre-season. The future looks bright for the teenager, and Borthwick hinted it’s “certainly a possibility” that Caluori could make his Test debut this November. “When you start picking a team and you’re picking good players, you’re leaving good players out as well,” Borthwick remarked, highlighting the enviable depth now developing across England’s backline.
With Farrell out, the midfield battle is wide open. Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall, Exeter’s Henry Slade, and Bath’s Ollie Lawrence—who has made a remarkable recovery from an Achilles tendon injury suffered against Italy in March—are the main options. Tommy Freeman, usually a wing, started at outside centre in England’s resounding 68-14 win over Wales in Cardiff during the Six Nations, and is also among the 37 players assembling for a three-day training camp next week. The final 36-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series, which will see England face Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina, will be announced next weekend.
Bath wing Henry Arundell, another returnee from Racing 92, is included in the training squad. The 22-year-old has wasted no time making an impact back home, notching three tries in his first four games for Bath. His return, alongside young talents like Caluori and Ilione, points to a blend of experience and youth as England look to build towards the 2027 World Cup.
Borthwick’s selection approach is clear: invest in players who will be part of England’s long-term vision. “I think everybody would agree with me that the direction should be investing all that time in players who are going to be involved and part of England’s desire to win the World Cup in two years’ time. Every minute of our training, every minute of our coaching, every minute in a Test match needs to be devoted to those players.”
As for Farrell, his legacy is secure—112 caps, a World Cup bronze, and the all-time scoring record. But for now, his focus is on club rugby, and England’s new generation will have the opportunity to stake their claim. The door, as Borthwick repeatedly insists, remains open.
With a packed schedule ahead and a squad brimming with both established stars and emerging prodigies, England’s autumn campaign promises intrigue and competition at every turn. Fans will be watching closely to see who seizes their chance in the famous white shirt—and whether Farrell’s next chapter with England is just around the corner.
