Steve Borthwick’s WORST England Call-Ups – Including His First Debutant (Ranked 5–1)

This article looks at some of the least successful selections. All are proven Prem performers and high-quality players, but in this context they stand out as the weakest inclusions from an otherwise strong pool.

This is perhaps the harshest inclusion on the list. Ollie Hassell-Collins is a talented winger and, on paper, a perfectly reasonable player to introduce to international rugby.

He made his debut in Borthwick’s first match in charge, England’s opening-round defeat to Scotland in the 2023 Six Nations. However, what followed is what earns him a place here.

Despite strong domestic form for Leicester Tigers, Hassell-Collins has barely featured since, adding just one more senior cap and a handful of appearances for the A side.

The lack of continuity makes the initial selection feel somewhat wasted.

Tom Pearson earned his England debut during a turbulent period in his club career, following London Irish’s financial collapse and his subsequent move to Northampton Saints.

He started in a World Cup warm-up defeat to Wales in August 2023. That match remains his only senior England appearance to date.

While Pearson has since developed into a solid Prem player, the one-off cap without further involvement makes the call-up feel unnecessary in hindsight.

There is no question that Theo Dan is a player with potential. His performances at age-grade level and glimpses at senior level suggest promise.

However, his transition to Test rugby has been less convincing. Despite being involved in the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and scoring against Chile, he has struggled to cement a place.

More telling is his omission from the most recent Six Nations matchday squads, even amid inconsistent form from other options. That lack of trust from Borthwick raises questions about whether his early exposure came too soon.

Debuting Luke Northmore at 28 always felt like a short-term solution rather than a long-term investment.

He earned his first cap during the 2025 summer tour, contributing an assist against Argentina and later scoring against the United States.

While those contributions were respectable, the timing of his introduction and limited long-term potential make the decision seem largely inconsequential. He remains a dependable Prem performer, but not a transformative Test player.

Topping the list is Jack Walker, a player with an excellent pedigree in England’s youth setup but one who has not translated that promise to the senior stage.

A former U20 World Champion and age-grade captain, Walker had long been on the radar. He made his senior debut during the 2023 Six Nations, coming off the bench against Italy.

Like others on this list, his opportunity felt fleeting and ultimately inconsequential. While a solid Prem hooker, he has not shown the level required to become a regular international option.