Tom Willis and Max Ojomoh could be in contention for England call-ups for their opening Six Nations match against Ireland, with Ojomoh in contention for his Test debut.
Head coach Scott Borthwick is set to shake things up by naming his squad for the opening match of the 2025 tournament at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14.
England lost five Tests in a row – spanning a two-Test tour of New Zealand last summer and autumn internationals against the All Blacks, as well as Australia and South Africa – before return to winning ways in their last match against Japan.
In addition to the expected call-ups for Willis and Ojomah, scrumhalf Alex Mitchell is expected to return to the team after missing autumn action through injury.
Scrum-half Raffi Quirke could also be worth a look as an alternative option from the bench, while it will be interesting to see how England fill the void left on the wing by the absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
The 22-year-old will miss the entire Six Nations due to a dislocated shoulder he suffered while on duty for Exeter last month.
England will face reigning champions Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in their opening Six Nations match on February 1. Borthwick’s men beat Ireland at Twickenham in last year’s tournament, denying Ireland the Grand Slam.
England get the better of Ireland at Twickenham in the 2024 Six Nations
‘Willis should be rewarded for his outstanding form’
Sky Sports News’ James Cole:
The only player who raises his hand higher than any other for a call-up to Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad is Tom Willis. The Saracens No.8 has been exceptional for his club this season.
Willis is an extremely powerful ball carrier, who always seems to make yards in contact – and his recent performance against Bristol was one of the best individual performances of the season.
There are growing calls for Willis to start at No.8 ahead of Saracens team-mate Ben Earl in England’s opening Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin on February 1.
That is high praise indeed – and means he should be a favorite when Borthwick announces his wider squad on Tuesday.
Is Max Ojomoh in line for England Test debut against Ireland?
Another unestablished international knocking on the door is Bath Centre. Max Ojomohson of the former English third row, Steve. He is uncapped but is very much on Borthwick’s radar, having been called up to England’s training camp during last year’s Six Nations.
He too is in excellent form, impressing recently against Northampton and Clermont. His silky driving skills and clever racing lines make him a remarkable talent. And although Ollie Laurent And Henry Slade are almost certain to continue as England’s midfield duo, Ojomoh is pushing harder than ever.
The two Smiths – Marcus and Fin – are sure to be nominated but the one who starts at 10 divides opinions.
Will Marcus Smith get the nod again for England at No.10 in his first Six Nations match?
The mercurial Marcus has a unique ability to cut open defenses from anywhere on the pitch – but his game management at international level has been called into question since England’s poor autumn campaign; and with fullback George Furbank injured, Borthwick could look to take Harlequins 10 to 15.
There is, however, no debate over who should start at scrum-half in Dublin. Northampton’s return Alex Mitchell from an injury is a huge boost. Borthwick – unsure of his hierarchy – alternated between three different 9s during the autumn: Ben Spencer, Harry Randall and Jack Van Poortvliet.
Mitchell’s return will add pace and fluidity to England’s attack, as well as more control to their kicking game.
After winning just 5 out of 12 games in 2024, it looks like a make-or-break year for England and Borthwick. And Six Nations starts are no more difficult than those of Ireland and France on successive weekends.
2025 Six Nations Calendar: England
- February 1: Ireland (a)
- February 8: France (m)
- February 22: Scotland (h)
- March 9: Italy (h)
- March 15: Wales (a)
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