Borthwick names 10 changes against Japan with 80% of RWC 2027 squad already decided

Steve Borthwick has made 10 changes to England’s starting XV for Saturday’s Nations Championship match against Japan, using the fixture as a World Cup audition while acknowledging that 80 to 85 per cent of his Rugby World Cup 2027 squad is already decided.

Fresh from a 45-22 victory over Australia, Borthwick has handed opportunities to a clutch of fringe players and international rookies, with wings Will Joseph and Cadan Murley, and centre Max Ojomoh all set to make their cases for a place on the plane to Australia next year. George Ford returns at fly-half, while debutants Archie McParland, Emmanuel Iyogun, Arthur Clark and Greg Fisilau are among those on the bench.

“Probably 26 to 28 of the 33-man squad is pretty clear,” Borthwick said. “You’re now talking about the next five, six, seven positions.”

Borthwick was candid about the dual purpose of the selection, urging players to express themselves without losing sight of collective discipline. “The team is always the most important thing but, at the same time, it’s the balance between the team, self-sacrifice and self-expression,” he said. “Will Joseph can get his hands on the ball and back himself in those moments. Go and beat the man in front of him. Similarly for Max Ojomoh, there are always moments where players go and express themselves. But those moments will come more often when we’re playing a really cohesive team performance.”

With only 10 Tests remaining before England open the World Cup against Tonga in 11 months, the head coach stressed the limited window for experimentation. Key personnel — fly-half Fin Smith, wing Tommy Freeman and prop Fin Baxter — have been rested entirely, while Ben Curry drops to the bench. Borthwick said he wants to ensure those players “are playing really well for England now and for a long time”.

The England head coach credited his predecessor Eddie Jones, now in charge of Japan, with teaching him the concept of managing “two horizons” — the immediate fixture and the longer-term World Cup cycle — a philosophy that has clearly shaped his selection thinking this autumn.

Ojomoh’s recall is notable given that his last England appearance produced a man-of-the-match display against Argentina, yet he has been persistently overlooked at inside centre since. Joseph’s inclusion on the right wing ahead of Joe Marchant and Noah Caluori is a reward for recent club form.

Borthwick confirmed that the strongest available matchday 23 will be restored for New Zealand’s visit to Twickenham the following week, underlining that Saturday’s match against Japan is the last significant opportunity for those on the fringes to press their claims before the Test window closes.