STATEMENT: Steve Borthwick reveals Manu Tuilagi's reaction to being dropped

The Sale Sharks centre was left out of the 23-man matchday squad with Joe Marchant starting at outside centre in Borthwick's first game as head coach.

“When we spoke, I told him what we’d decided selection-wise and why, and we shook hands and then he went and trained really hard,” said Borthwick.

“That reaction is testimony to him and his character.

“I’ve picked a team for this week and there is competition for places. There should always be good players that aren't in the 23 because that's what we want with England.

“We want depth in every position people competing for the shirt and what I want to see here is players fighting for the shirt.

"We then make the selection for this game, this weekend against a specific opponent. And then next week is a new week.”

Reacting to the interview, one fan wrote: "Would not have liked to train against Manu after he found out he was dropped. He'd be furious.

Another said: "Manu should be in the team. Fly-halves at centre does not work."

A third said: "Classy bloke is Manu. One of my favourite players.

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The match is being broadcast live on ITV and ITVX with coverage starting at 4pm 

15. Freddie Steward

14. Max Malins 

13. Joe Marchant

12. Owen Farrell (C)

11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 

10. Marcus Smith 

9. Jack van Poortvliet 

1. Ellis Genge (VC)

2. Jamie George 

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. Ollie Chessum

6. Lewis Ludlam

7. Ben Curry

8. Alex Dombrandt 

16. Jack Walker 

17. Mako Vunipola

18. Dan Cole

19. Nick Isiekwe 

20. Ben Earl 

21. Ben Youngs

22. Ollie Lawrence 

23. Anthony Watson

Below, we look at three established stars who are unlikely to win another cap.

Age: 32

Position: Loosehead-prop

Caps: 83

Marler is unlikely to return to the England team during the 2023 Six Nations after he breached one of Steve Borthwick’s main rules.

The new England boss has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch.

As a result, Marler was left out of the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins this season.

Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.

At this stage, an international return looks very unlikely.

DID YOU KNOW? Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees

Age: 30

Position: Number 8

Caps: 64

Borthwick excluded Powerhouse No8 Vunipola from the Six Nations squad, opting for Alex Dombrandt from Harlequins and Sam Simmons from Exeter as specialists.

Vunipola made a return to the England squad last summer under Eddie Jones and played in the autumn Test series.

However, in Borthwick's first selection, he made significant changes, resulting in Vunipola being among several experienced players left out.

With Zach Mercer set to return to England this summer, yet another recall for Billy is starting to look very unlikely.

DID YOU KNOW? He is the nephew of two other former international players, Manu and 'Elisi Vunipola, who both represented Tonga in the 1990s

Age: 32

Position: Winger

Caps: 72

The Gloucester speedster, who is England's second top try-scorer of all-time with 35, was another veteran who was unceremoniously axed by Borthwick. h

With injury problems becoming more and more frequent, May will need a significant upturn in form to have any chance of a recall.

Ollie Hassell-Collins is primed to start for England this weekend with the likes of Max Malins, Adam Radwan, Cadan Murley and Henry Arundell all vying for a place in the England team.

DID YOU KNOW? studied at Hartpury College, where he was a member of Hartpury College R.F.C., coached by Allan Lewis in a team that included future Wales and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert