Borthwick's Five New Faces
Five uncapped players have been named in Steve Borthwick's squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations Championship.
OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS
Position: Wing
Club: London Irish
Ollie Hassell-Collins is a familiar name for fans of the Gallagher Premiership. The London Irish wing has performed consistently for the Exiles throughout the past few seasons, with his sheer pace and try-scoring ability wowing fans and earning him a spot as a regular starter in the London Irish XV.
Hassell-Collins made his way through the London Irish academy setup through the AASE league, and was capped twice at U18 level for England. He went on to earn four England U20 caps, before being included in Eddie Jones' training squads in 2021 and 2022.
Speaking to media, Borthwick said: Ollie is big and powerful and very fast. He’s got a really good left foot, he’s great in the air and he defends well. Kev sent me a clip of Hassell-Collins defending on an edge and he mentioned it to me at least five times.
But his absolute super strength is his work ball-in-hand when he runs, when he runs and has this ability to run in and cut back inside.
CADAN MURLEY
Position: Wing
Club: Harlequins
Harlequins wing Cadan Murley made his club debut in 2018 and has since cemented himself in the starting XV for the Premiership club. He was part of the team that won the 2021 Gallagher Premiership and, at just 24 years old, has already earned 95 caps for his club.
In 2017 Murley represented England at U18 level, scoring in games against France and Ireland, and also represented his country at U20s.
Speaking on Murley, Borthwick said: "Cadan Murley has an ability to score tries and find his way to the try line. He can beat defenders in. the smallest space possible, has power to be able to come off both feet, plays at 14 and 11, and then accelerate in such a small space.
FIN SMITH
Position: Fly half
Club: Northampton Saints
Fin Smith has earned his stripes at Northampton Saints this season, filling the boots of recently-departed fly half Dan Biggar. The 20-year-old has impressed fans, and Borthwick, with his all-round performance across the pitch. Since his arrival at Northampton he has played eight games for the club, scoring 70 points from the tee.
Smith's rugby roots run deep; his Grandad was capped for Scotland and went on the 1955 Lions tour in South Africa. Fin first played rugby aged four at Shipston on Stour RFC, and began his career with Worcester Warriors having gone through their academy setup and into the first team. He started in the team that beat Gloucester in the final of the 2022 Premiership Rugby Cup.
Another product of the England U20s pathway, Smith was part of the Grand Slam winning Six Nations squad of 2021, starting in four games and scoring against Scotland.
GEORGE MCGUIGAN
Position: Hooker
Club: Gloucester
29-year-old hooker George McGuigan, who recently joined Gloucester Rugby from Newcastle Falcons, has alas been included in Steve Borthwick's Six Nations squad.
McGuigan played at U18 and U20 level for Ireland, before being called up to the England Senior Men's squad in the Summer of 2022. He also boasts 180 caps in the Gallagher Premiership, with appearances for Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers and Gloucester.
JACK WALKER
Position: Hooker
Club: Harlequins
Yet another England U20s graduate, Harlequins hooker Jack Walker first represented his country in the 2015 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, starting all five games. Later that year he was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship
In 2016, Walker was named captain of the England U20s side that went on to win the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
