Three England players who are blacklisted by Steve Borthwick – and why

Thursday, 09 March 2023 at 09:50

byRugby Rucker

Steve Borthwick has been brutal In his short time in charge of England, dropping a number of major stars ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.

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

#1. Joe Marler

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.

Joe Marler of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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

#2. Billy Vunipola

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.

Billy Vunipola of England in possession ahead of Kazuki Himeno of Japan during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

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

#3. Jonny Hill

Age: 28

Position: Lock

Caps: 13

A favorite of Eddie Jones, the Sale Sharks lock is in danger of losing his place on the England squad due to the emergence of Leicester Tigers’ Ollie Chessum.

Getting back into the England set-up will not be easy, as Northampton Saints’ David Ribbans is also playing well.

Fun fact: Hill is the nephew of former Rugby league international Paul Loughlin.