Do not confuse the end of the Six Nations with Steve Borthwick taking it easy. The England head coach was at Kingsholm on Saturday and would have had an eye on a number of players in the mix to tour Argentina and the USA this summer.
Given there could be at least 10 England players away with the British and Irish Lions on the plane to Australia, that means there are gaps to fill in Borthwick’s squad. Here, in alphabetical order, are eight uncapped contenders that should tour.
Seb Atkinson
Position: Centre
Club: Gloucester
Age: 22
An obvious place to start after his hat-trick against Bristol, although the highlight of Atkinson’s evening was not necessarily any of those finishes but a pummelling run through Harry Byrne to set up a try for Chris Harris. There is an obvious power to his game which England do not get from their other inside-centre candidates, as highlighted afterwards by his head coach George Skivington, who noted he had discussed Atkinson with Borthwick. He carries bigger than his size, even at 6ft 2in and 100kg.
Oscar Beard
Position: Centre
Club: Harlequins
Age: 23
Involved in England training throughout the Six Nations without getting a look in, before returning to action for Harlequins and putting in a stunning assist for a try in the win over Saracens. Has the footwork, power and the speed to annoy defences. Maybe he gets to show that in the summer. Can also cover wing.
Arthur Clark
Position: Lock
Club: Gloucester
Age: 22
Broke a bone in his foot after being called up to train with England in January, which put the brakes on what up until that point had been an impressive season for the 6ft7in lock, including his appearance for England ‘A’ in the autumn against Australia. England need depth here so should take one of Clark, Tom Lockett (Northampton) or Hugh Tizard (Saracens). But Clark would be the preference.
Afo Fasogbon
Position: Prop
Club: Gloucester
Age: 20
The summer doesn’t feel too soon for Fasogbon, who has enjoyed two fun outings against Ellis Genge this season, building off his part in the England Under-20s’ world championship success last summer. Notably taller than most props at 6ft4in, Fasogbon has steadily built up experience with 10 appearances for Gloucester in the Premiership so far this season despite an ankle injury.
Will Muir
Position: Wing
Club: Bath
Age: 29
Has been in the mix before with England, including as recently as last year’s Six Nations, without seeing any action. Scored against Australia ‘A’ in the autumn and keeps piling on tries for Bath, with seven in 10 matches. Good power and pace for his first try against Harlequins – not a surprise given his sevens background – while his attitude sprinting out to charge down a conversion in the same game is the kind of thing coaches adore.
Gabriel Oghre
Position: Hooker
Club: Bristol
Age: 26
Given that England ‘A’ have used him in both matches this season against Australia ‘A’ and Ireland ‘A’, and that he went on tour to Japan and New Zealand last summer, Oghre has to be close. Does the set-piece work well but also has sharp feet and good hands in the loose.
Max Ojomoh
Position: Centre
Club: Bath
Age: 24
Like Beard in that the talent seems to be there even if England have not looked at him yet, with Ojomoh coming back to Bath in good form and bagging a couple of tries at the weekend. A combination with the powerful Atkinson, given England potentially see Ojomoh as a 13? That would be nice.
Joe Woodward
Position: Centre
Club: Leicester
Age: 21
Four centres, I hear you ask? Even though Fraser Dingwall finally was given a chance and impressed in the Six Nations, England still have questions here and should be casting the net wide. Woodward has impressed in his first full campaign with Leicester with eight starts and plenty of line breaks, after benefiting from time at Nottingham last season.
