Borthwick names 36-man England training squad as autumn Tests approach ahead of 2027 World Cup

Steve Borthwick has named a 36-man England training squad ahead of November Tests with Australia, Japan and New Zealand as the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaches with under a year to go.

With under a year to go until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the home nations have just nine competitive matches before the tournament starts in Australia next October and the inaugural Nations Championship resumes in November. Borthwick’s squad selection, announced ahead of Tests on 8 November (Australia), 14 November (Japan) and 21 November (New Zealand), offers an insight into his short- and long-term plans for England.

The squad contains recalls and new faces: Joe Marchant has been recalled, Will Joseph retained after a strong start to the season for Gloucester, uncapped Archie McParland is included as the third scrum-half and uncapped Kepu Tuipulotu is the third hooker. On balance the group is largely familiar territory for Borthwick’s staff, a point former England wing Chris Ashton made on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast: "If we look at this training squad, it's not picked on form, is it? It is a squad to get to the World Cup. Will Joseph is picked on form, but the vast majority is not. It is based on the experience and relationships [Borthwick] has with the players, and that is why Marchant is in there."

Several regular internationals have had limited minutes or form this season yet remain in Borthwick’s plans, with Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie George, Will Stuart, George Furbank and Ben Curry among those cited as short of minutes or form. Ashton cautioned that selection balance is difficult under pressure: "Part of the problem right now is that Steve feels he is under pressure to get results, so it is too late to make big changes," added Ashton. "There just aren't many lads that have played much rugby."

The uncapped duo of McParland and Tuipulotu bring fresh options but face established competition for playing time, with McParland behind Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Mitchell in the pecking order at scrum-half and Tuipulotu competing with "the highly experienced George and Cowan-Dickie" for hooker minutes. Ugo Monye highlighted selection omissions and club form in his assessment: "We know how talented Tuipulotu is, he is brilliant, but Nathan Jibulu at Sale has had two man-of-the-match performances and might feel slightly hard done by," said Monye, who also noted that George Hendy at Northampton was a notable omission. "In my opinion, we need to have a look at Hendy," he continued. "He has been that good for that long. And if we are talking about form, where is [Bristol back rower] Fitz Harding?" He added: "But I am sure Steve had a rough idea of his squad a month ago."

Injury issues are shaping selection: Benhard Janse van Rensburg is out, Seb Atkinson and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are on the rehab list, and Fin Smith will miss training this week with a calf niggle, although his injury is not thought to be serious. Charlie Atkinson was called up on Monday morning, and England’s medical staff will continue to monitor fitness closely ahead of the Tests.

Borthwick’s likely matchday forward options are clearer, with Ellis Genge, George, Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Ben Earl, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock all expected to make the 23 if fit. The midfield remains unsettled — Atkinson and Henry Slade started England’s last Test, the victory over Argentina in July, but Marchant and Will Joseph are also vying for a place at 13, with Monye stating: "Marchant and Will Joseph are in a bit of a shoot-out. They can both do a job on the wing and when you look at a World Cup squad you look at versatility. "I would like to see bold decisions, but it is easy saying that when your job isn't on the line and you are trying to get selection right ahead of a World Cup. "Will Joseph has been excellent and there will loads of fans who watch the Prem and will say against Australia, Seb Atkinson and Will Joseph are your ready-made 12 and 13. "But I would be very surprised if that was to happen."

Players will remain in camp until Tuesday evening before returning to their clubs for one more round of league action, then rejoin England next Sunday, seven days ahead of the Australia Test; England have won three of their past eight matches so far in 2026 and need strong results in November as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers and the tournament itself. England play Australia on 8 November, Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November.