Steve Borthwick ready to make ruthless central contract call on England star

His handling of Tom Willis ahead of the Autumn Tests raised eyebrows across the rugby landscape, with TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey branding the decision “childish” and questioning why in-form players were being overlooked in crucial roles.

From a once-trusted debutant to a destructive No.8 and even a winger likened to Jonah Lomu, these are the names who have quietly fallen out of favour during Borthwick’s reign.

Club: Saracens → Bordeaux Bègles (2025)
Caps: 8

Despite still being fully eligible for England, Tom Willis has effectively been blacklisted by Steve Borthwick after a phonecall in October .

The England boss has refused to pick the powerhouse No 8 for Autumn and will snub hum again for the 2026 Six Nations — even though Willis is on a £160,000 enhanced Elite Player Squad contract.

The 26-year-old will leave Saracens for Bordeaux Bègles next summer, but his omission from the latest training squad shows just how ruthless Borthwick can be. Willis starred for England last year, starting six Tests and carrying that form into the new Premiership campaign.

Former England international Austin Healey branded Borthwick’s stance “childish,” pointing out that Willis is England’s only true specialist No 8. It's now been confirmed that he will lose his RFU central contract when it expires at the end of December.

RUCK Verdict: Still eligible, still in form — yet frozen out. If this isn’t personal, it sure looks like it.

Club: Toulon (joined 2025)
Caps: 2

Mercer’s move back to France with Toulon ends any short-term England hopes. After tearing up the Top 14 with Montpellier and being crowned Player of the Year, his return to Gloucester was supposed to relaunch his Test career.

Instead, Borthwick barely looked his way. Now, by heading back across the Channel, Mercer has effectively ruled himself out of England selection under current RFU policy.

RUCK Verdict: England’s loss, Toulon’s gain — one of the most dynamic No 8s around.

Club: Bath Rugby
Caps: 16

It’s been eight years since Cokanasiga first pulled on an England shirt. The comparisons to Jonah Lomu were unfair, but his blend of pace and power is still unmatched.

He’s shown flashes for Bath, but inconsistency and injuries have stopped him cementing a Test spot. Borthwick remains unconvinced.

RUCK Verdict: The fans adore him — the coaches don’t. Time is running out to prove them wrong.

Club: Leicester Tigers
Caps: 2

Hassell-Collins burst onto the scene with two caps in the 2023 Six Nations, only to vanish from the picture just as quickly.

There was even talk of a Wales switch through family heritage, but his recent England A appearance locks him into red-rose eligibility for now. Despite great form for Tigers, Borthwick isn’t biting.

RUCK Verdict: The raw pace and finishing are there — England just aren’t calling.

Club: Northampton Saints
Caps: 1

One of the Premiership’s best young flankers, Pearson continues to bang on the door. He’s excelled for Northampton but can’t seem to convince Borthwick he’s the man for the job.

Others have leapfrogged him into recent squads, leaving Pearson stuck on one cap since 2023.

RUCK Verdict: The potential is obvious — but the England back-row queue is brutally long.

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