Borthwick's autumn questions as World Cup looms

With under a year to go until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the countdown is on, with just nine competitive matches for the home nations until the tournament starts in Australia next October.

But while the World Cup spectre looms large, there is plenty to play for between now and then, starting with the resumption of the inaugural Nations Championship in November.

Steve Borthwick has named his 36-man training squad ahead of the Tests with Australia, Japan and New Zealand, and it gives a clear indication of the England head coach's thinking on both a long and short-term basis.

England play Australia on 8 November before facing Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November.

There is a recall for Joe Marchant, fellow centre Will Joseph is rewarded for his and Gloucester's excellent start to the season, while uncapped Archie McParland is the third scrum-half and uncapped Kepu Tuipulotu the third hooker.

On the whole, though, it is a tried and tested group.

"If we look at this training squad, it's not picked on form, is it?" former England wing Chris Ashton said on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"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."

It is often the dilemma facing an England head coach. With 10 teams to pick from, there are always players playing well. How do you balance that with getting selection consistency from campaign to campaign?

Fin Baxter, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie George, Will Stuart, George Furbank and Ben Curry - among others - have all been short of minutes or form this season. But they are all Borthwick regulars with priceless Test match experience.

"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 pair of McParland and Tuipulotu will both bring a freshness to camp.

But will McParland get much gametime ahead of the established duo of Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Mitchell, and will Tuipulotu get any minutes when competing with the highly experienced George and Cowan-Dickie?

"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 Ugo Monye, who also added that George Hendy at Northampton is another 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?

"But I am sure Steve had a rough idea of his squad a month ago."

As ever, injuries will force Borthwick's hand.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg is out - a big blow to Borthwick given how he was fast-tracked into the set-up - while incumbent number 12 Seb Atkinson is on the rehab list, as is Exeter flyer Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Their fitness will be monitored forensically by the England medical staff.

Meanwhile, the nailed-on starter at fly-half Fin Smith will also 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.

In the forwards, the selection picture is reasonably clear. 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 make the 23 if fit.

Behind the scrum, especially at centre, it is more uncertain.

"I would struggle to answer [who will play in the midfield]," said Ashton.

Atkinson and Henry Slade started England's last Test, a crucial victory over Argentina in July, and could line up together again against the Wallabies on 8 November.

But Marchant and Joseph are also battling for the number 13 shirt, and a possible World Cup place.

"Marchant and Will Joseph are in a bit of a shoot-out," added Monye.

"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."

The players will be in camp until Tuesday evening before returning to their clubs for one more round of league action, before re-joining England next Sunday, seven days before the Australia showdown.

Borthwick has precious little time in camp with his squad before the Wallabies come to town, putting even more emphasis on established players, and established combinations.

Twelve months ago, England were in the midst of a winning run and started the autumn series full of confidence.

It is a different picture now after an underwhelming 2026, with just three wins from eight matches so far. As it stands, where the side will be come the World Cup in 12 months is anyone's guess.

England and Borthwick need a big November.