Five England players blacklisted by Steve Borthwick – one wants to quit for Six Nations rival
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Steve Borthwick has made some ruthless selection calls since taking charge of England, and a number of high-profile players have found themselves out in the cold.
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Some omissions have raised eyebrows, while others have left players considering their international futures.
From a fullback who was once undroppable to a powerful winger who was compared to Jonah Lomu, here are five England stars who have fallen completely out of favour—one of whom could be lost to Wales for good.
Freddie Steward – The rock-solid fullback cast aside
It wasn't long ago that Freddie Steward was considered a guaranteed starter for England. A defensive rock under the high ball and a reliable last line of defence, he played a crucial role in England's World Cup campaign.
Yet, in a shocking turn of events, Borthwick has axed him in favour of Marcus Smith—a player who isn't even a specialist fullback. This drastic move highlights just how far Steward has fallen in the pecking order. Nobody saw this coming.
Zach Mercer – From France's best to England's forgotten man
Zach Mercer's return to the Premiership was met with serious hype. After being named Top 14 Player of the Year at Montpellier, it seemed inevitable that he would finally be given a proper shot in an England jersey.
A call-up to a World Cup training camp suggested Borthwick was keen to reintegrate him, but Mercer never added to his two caps. His stint at Gloucester has been frustrating, and with reports suggesting he'll leave at the end of the season, his England career looks all but over.
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