England rugby LIVE: Six Nations 2023 squad confirmed by Steve Borthwick

New head coach Steve Borthwick has jettisoned veterans Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell for his first squad

Steve Borthwick succeeds Eddie Jones as England rugby head coach

England’s Six Nations squad has been announced on Monday morning.

New coach Steve Borthwick has selected his 36-man group after he replaced Eddie Jones as the man in charge late last year. The bombshell news overnight is that Jones has already agreed a return to international coaching with his native Australia ahead of this year’s World Cup.

Northampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith has been handed a first call-up joining four other uncapped players in the squad – Ollie Hassell-Collins, George McGuigan, Cadan Murley and Jack Walker while Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell are the big-name omissions.

Courtney Lawes returns to the squad following injury. There are also returns for Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt and Nick Isiekwe and backs Elliot Daly, Dan Kelly, Max Malins and Joe Marchant.

Meanwhile, Owen Farrell is set to be available for England’s opening game against Scotland on 4 February after the Rugby Football Union confirmed his ban for a dangerous tackle will have been deemed fully served before the tournament begins.

England Six Nations 2023 squad

• England’s 36-man squad for 2023 Six Nations confirmed
• Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell left out by Steve Borthwick
• Veteran Dan Cole returns more than three years after last cap
• Fin Smith among five uncapped players named by Borthwick
• Owen Farrell cleared for first game against Scotland
• Eddie Jones tips ‘outstanding’ Borthwick to impress as England rugby union head coach

[16 January 2023 11:00 · Michael Jones]

England squad for Six Nations 2023 confirmed with three high-profile omissions

England have confirmed their squad for the 2023 Six Nations with three high-profile omissions.

Steve Borthwick, who took over from Eddie Jones as head coach at the end of last year, has named a 36-strong group for the tournament that begins early next month.

The new coach has opted to jettison veterans Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell for his first squad.

Number eight Vunipola and wings May and Nowell were all involved in the 27-13 defeat by South Africa that concluded the autumn and spelt the end of the Jones era.

While the trio are not part of the squad that will next week begin preparations for the opener against Scotland, there are recalls for Dan Cole and Elliot Daly.

[16 January 2023 10:53 · Michael Jones]

England Six Nations schedule

England’s opening game is the Calcutta Cup fixture against Scotland on Saturday 4th February (4.45pm KO).

Following the Scotland clash, England will host Italy on Sunday 12th February (3pm KO) then will travel to Cardiff to take on Wales on Saturday 25th February (4.45pm KO).

England are back at Twickenham to face France on Saturday 11th March (4.45pm KO) before their final game in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday 18th March (5pm KO).

All matches are live on ITV, except for Wales vs England which is on the BBC.

[16 January 2023 10:47 · Michael Jones]

Owen Farrell announced as captain

In his press conference following the announcement of the England squad, Steve Borthwick has named Owen Farrell as captain of the team with Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge named as vice-captains.

Borthwick says he has been given assurances that Farrell will have served his four-match bacn for a dangerous tackle before the Six Nations starts against Scotland on February 4th.

[16 January 2023 10:45 · Michael Jones]

‘This is an exciting squad'

Speaking about his squad announcement, England head coach Steve Borthwick said: "This is an exciting squad, with a blend of Six Nations experience and young talent, and includes players who are in excellent form in the Premiership.

“We are all looking forward to the challenges of the Six Nations and we will approach this great tournament with a spirit of courage and total commitment.

“I know the players can’t wait to get back to Twickenham and give our fans a performance they can be proud of. The hard work for the Scotland game starts now."

[16 January 2023 10:42 · Michael Jones]

Nowell and May left out

As expected Jack Nowell and Jonny May have both been left out of the squad and are part of six omissions from Eddie Jones’ previous 36-man squad during the Autumn internationals.

Also getting the drop were Billy Vunipola, David Ribbans, Alex Coles, and Guy Porter.

[16 January 2023 10:37 · Michael Jones]

Five uncapped players in England squad

Steve Borthwick has named his first England squad that will meet for a Guinness Six Nations training camp next week.

There is a first call up for Northampton Saints’ Fin Smith with the fly half joining four other uncapped players in the squad. Those being Ollie Hassell-Collins, George McGuigan, Cadan Murley and Jack Walker.

Elsewhere, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Nick Isiekwe, Elliot Daly, Dan Kelly, Max Malins, and Joe Marchant have all been recalled.

[16 January 2023 10:33 · Michael Jones]

Borthwick announces England squad

England squad announcement

Full England squad:

Forwards

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)

Ben Curry (Sale Sharks,1 cap)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 9 caps)

Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 43 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 72 caps)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)

Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 caps)

Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 8 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 caps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)

George McGuigan (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)

Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 74 caps)

Jack Walker (Harlequins, uncapped)

Jack Willis (Toulouse, 6 caps)

Backs

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 caps)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)

Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)

Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)

Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps)

Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 13 caps)

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 52 caps)

Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 caps)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)

Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 caps)

Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 caps)

[16 January 2023 10:30 · Michael Jones]

Eddie Jones tips ‘outstanding’ Steve Borthwick to impress as England rugby union head coach

Eddie Jones has backed “outstanding” Steve Borthwick to be a success as England rugby head coach and opened up on the mistakes he believes cost him the job.

Jones was dismissed last month after a poor 2022 having held the role for seven years and guided England to the 2019 World Cup final.

He told the Guardian: “I don’t have any regrets but there were a couple of mistakes, a couple of decisions I probably rushed.”

Jones cited poor decisions regarding his assistants as one mistake, while criticising England’s reliance on the public school system and the type of players it produced did not go down well with the establishment.

[16 January 2023 10:22 · Michael Jones]

England squad announcement

Not long now until Steve Borthwick names the first England squad of his tenure. Will there be any big omissions or recalls?

[16 January 2023 10:15 · Michael Jones]

Kevin Sinfield happy to challenge Steve Borthwick if it will help England

Kevin Sinfield will continue to challenge Steve Borthwick if he believes it will assist England’s climb out of the doldrums.

Sinfield will serve as Borthwick’s number two after the coaching brains trust that took the 2022 Gallagher Premiership title to Leicester was given the task of reversing the decline overseen by Eddie Jones.

While Jones’ management style was autocratic, England’s new head coach will encourage his most trusted lieutenant to speak his mind.

“My job is not to sit here and say ‘yes’ and nod my head. My job is to ensure that the team is in the best possible place,” said the rugby league great, who will oversee the defence.