England vs Fiji Test changes Borthwick experiments ahead

England vs Fiji Test changes sees coach Steve Borthwick experimenting with his squad, reshaping fly-half roles and building depth ahead of 2027 World Cup.

Experimentation and frustration as England spin the selection wheel for Fiji Test

With two years to go until the Rugby World Cup 2027, England’s coaching team see their upcoming match against Fiji national rugby union team as a laboratory rather than a must-win.
They have introduced seven changes to their starting XV, both forced (through injury) and strategic. Full-back Freddie Steward is out with a hand injury, wing Tom Roebuck has an ankle tweak, and captain Maro Itoje is on the bench with a rare knock.
But head coach Steve Borthwick arguably would have made changes anyway: the priority now is building competition, depth and versatility, rather than purely maintaining continuity.

Fly-half drama: three options, one slot

The most telling change comes at fly-half. Fin Smith gets the nod ahead of George Ford (who leads the team no more) and Marcus Smith (who is shifted out to full-back, a position he finds unfamiliar).
Borthwick acknowledged the challenge: he wants all his players to feel supported in their journey, recognising that “a player’s journey doesn’t just go in one direction”.
As Marcus Smith’s case shows: he had started eight straight games at 10 until February; now he’s out of that role. There is, in Borthwick’s words, “frustration and disgruntlement” to manage. But he’d rather have that than complacency.

Versatility and squad flexibility top the agenda

But the tinkering goes beyond fly-half. For example: Chandler Cunningham‑South is given a chance at number 8 despite minimal club experience at that role. Meanwhile Fin Smith has also been training at inside-centre as a contingency, so Marcus could slot in if needed.
That flexibility is part of the concept: by the time England reach Australia in 2027, Borthwick wants a squad of versatile athletes who can adapt and cover multiple spots, not a team reliant on a fixed 15 of big names.

System over star, tempo over tradition

Borthwick’s message: the system is the star. England aim to drain opponents’ batteries through relentless tempo, rapid ball movement, and athleticism across the squad. He says the team now have more pace, better acceleration—and he wants every player to be able to play a full 80 minutes.
That’s a notable shift from previous England teams, which often leaned on set-plays and big names rather than versatility and athletic depth.

Fiji won’t let them experiment in peace

But make no mistake: Fiji will not be a soft touch. Their last visit to Twickenham resulted in a shock win in August 2023. Their back-line carries genuine threat, from the flair of Kalaveti Ravouvou and the power of Josua Tuisova to the swerving wing Jiuta Wainiqolo, who is among the Top 14 try-scorers.
England will still need to bring physicality, carry strong collisions, and match Fiji’s power. The experiment is real—but so is the test.