Three uncapped players in England Six Nations squad

LONDON, Jan 23 : England coach Steve Borthwick called up three uncapped players, including two props, for his Six Nations squad on Friday as he deals with something of a front-row injury crisis and plots to win the title for the first time in six years

Bath's 20-year-old Vilikesa "Billy" Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun of Northampton Saints, along with powerful Exeter back row Greg Fisilau are the new faces in a squad of 36.

George Furbank is included despite playing only a handful of games for Northampton this season due to a calf problem. He was England’s first-choice fullback until he broke his arm in December 2024 and Borthwick has turned to Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith in his absence.

Seb Atkinson also returns to challenge for a midfield berth, having impressed last summer against Argentina, but then missing the November internationals through injury.

Also back is Jack van Poortvliet, replacing Raffi Quirke as one of three scrumhalves.

There is no place for Saracens' spring-heeled 19-year-old Noah Caluori, who was included in the squad during the autumn.

Among a long list of initial injury absentees are flyhalf Fin Smith and winger Tom Roebuck, who were regulars through 2025 as England chalked up 11 wins in a row, but they could still be back for the start of the tournament.

"We’ve picked a squad with a good balance of experience, leadership and exciting potential," Borthwick said after announcing the group at Twickenham before he takes them to a training camp in Girona next week.

"I'm really pleased for Billy Sela - his first time in the senior squad - he's a player of exceptional talent and potential. Greg and Manny have been in the squad for different periods of time and I think they're both playing really well. In a sense