England's 2025 Autumn squad ranked from "Key player" to "Must Drop"

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at 10:59

byCharlie Elliott

England started their 2025 Quilter Nations Series campaign with a convincing 25-7 win over Australia at Allianz Stadium, followed by a 38-18 win over Fiji.

The stakes are much higher this weekend with the All Blacks on the horizon, as Scott Robertson's side visit West London for a key game in both nations.

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel
and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

The autumn campaign follows on from a summer which saw a large England contingent feature for the British and Irish Lions, while those who weren't picked managed to secure a 2-0 series victory over Los Pumas in Argentina. Form is strong, and there is real cause for optimism right now, especially with lots of young talent coming through.

Here is every player in the current squad, ranked.

Key players

Ollie Chessum

His sheer size and presence makes him a key player, and his ability to transition between lock and blindside is very helpful as well. Leicester Tigers captain too so clearly a strong leader within the squad. Will be severely missed against the All Blacks if injury rumours are true.

Ben Earl

In terms of No.8 options that England have right now, Earl is a key player who can also play at openside. Seems to flourish on the biggest of occasions and is a big player. Has been Player of the Match in the opening couple of autumn games, highlighting his importance.

Ellis Genge

The best loosehead in the country right now and a big character around the place, adds a lot of grit to the front row. Did a good job as captain against Fiji and is a really mature player now.

Maro Itoje

Captain for a reason. Such a top professional and a great leader, who lets his work on the pitch do the talking and leads from the front consistently.

Will Stuart

The best tighthead in the country and a world-class player, who will be huge in the World Cup when England have to come up against some of the heaviest packs in the world.

Tommy Freeman

Brings serious aerial threat and is an unbelievable runner with the ball in hand, his potential position change to 13 could also solve an issue there, but on the wing he is brilliant to watch.

Alex Mitchell

The best scrum-half by some distance and without Mitchell, the side would be far weaker.

Talented Youngsters

Fin Baxter

Unassuming because of his baby face but packs a serious punch and is a very good young talent in the front row.

Chandler Cunningham-South

Already very experienced despite being 22 years old, the potential is clearly there and he might permanently shift to No.8 and fill the gap there.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour

One of the most promising young props ever, few in his position have bust onto the scene quite like he has. Has all the attributes to be a top player.

Henry Arundell

Still has a few frailties to work on but on the ball is a prolific winger who has an eye for the try line. Turns 23 this week so there is plenty of time for him.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

So good to watch, he mixes some very good technical attributes with a raw speed and power that is hard to match. Will be huge for England for a number of years.

Fin Smith

Has shown maturity beyond his years so far, and is the natural heir at fly-half. Will be exciting to see how far he goes.

Henry Pollock

Few have ever generated as much hype as Pollock, the maverick back row who makes as much noise off the pitch as he does on it. A great character for the game to have, but equally a top player and talent.

Solid Contributors

Alex Coles

Very good backup lock to have at your disposal, and is a solid player.

Tom Curry

One of the first names on the team sheet when fit, however with Sam Underhill around, he isn't 'key' . Puts his body on the line whenever he plays and his work rate is second to none.

Luke Cowan-Dickie

Has recovered well after a shaky time last year, and is now an experienced player who does seem to be getting better and better. Very dependable now.

Jamie George

Could be considered to be key, but is now getting on a bit and his impact is in more of a leadership sense than on the field. Still a good player, but just falls short of being a key player.

Joe Heyes

Very solid Test tighthead that is continually developing. Useful to have.

Nick Isiekwe

Brings plenty of size and is technically good, and gels well with a few of the other Saracens forwards that are in the squad. Tidy player and a good reserve to have.

Beno Obano

Just a solid Test prop really, nothing more, nothing less.

Sam Underhill

His impact is increasing game on game it seems, and he was one of the best players in Argentina this summer, showing some incredible work at the breakdown and some generally impressive defensive contributions.

George Ford

Could be classed as a key player but there are so many quality fly-halves now, his absence wouldn't be felt as strongly as it perhaps might have been in the past. An unbelievable player with arguably the best rugby IQ in the world.

Ollie Lawrence

Does tend to be quite hot and cold at times, but the good tends to outweigh the bad. Not reliable enough to be a key player.

Cadan Murley

Solid winger but a bit behind the likes of Freeman and Feyi-Waboso, given how stacked England's depth is on the wing, he will be nervously looking over his shoulder.

Tom Roebuck

Is a bit safer than Murley because his aerial game suits the Test arena very well. Is on his way to becoming key but just about falls short.

Marcus Smith

At his best, he is world class, but that doesn't come often enough and he needs to work on his consistency if he is to be considered key.

Needs More Time

Jack Kenningham

Yet to be given a senior chance, but his Prem form has earned him an England callup.

Tom Lockett

Same as above.

Guy Pepper

Played very well against Australia but still needs to prove himself over a longer period of games. Looks a bright player and may develop into a more important member of the squad.

Time to Drop

Theo Dan

Should get more time, but dropping him now and allowing him to focus on his club performances again may be beneficial in the long-run.

Raffi Quirke

Too injury prone for England unfortunately, even if he is a good player when fit. Also doesn't seem to relish big matches.

Henry Slade

Hasn't been good enough for a while, the new crop of centres coming through may soon take over.

Ben Spencer

Now 33 years old and not at Mitchell's level, time to drop him and give a youngster some chances ahead of the World Cup.

Freddie Steward

Good in the air but that's about it. Understandable why he keeps getting picked for that but surely he isn't the best fullback England have right now. George Furbank may well take his spot when fit.

Fraser Dingwall

Perennially described as a 'glue player', Dingwall doesn't seem to show enough by himself to stand out as a Test player. Might be slightly harsh saying to drop him but if England are serious about a World Cup, then Dingwall shouldn't be in their long-term plans.