Uncapped trio Vilikesa Sela, Emmanuel Iyogun and Greg Fisilau have been called up to the England squad for the 2026 Six Nations.
Bath prop Sela provides tighthead depth and could press for a debut with Will Stuart and Asher Opoku-Fordjour injured, while No 8 Fisilau has forced his way back into Steve Borthwick’s selection on the back of strong form for Exeter Chiefs. Iyogun appears to be the beneficiary of a foot injury to Fin Baxter, who is set to miss the first round of the tournament.
Full-back George Furbank is included despite an injury-hit season, with the Northampton captain hoping to earn a first England cap since 2024, while there are five centre options in a competitive fight for midfield places, along with a rehabbing Ollie Lawrence.
A settled selection reflects England’s strong recent form. Borthwick’s side enter the Six Nations on an 11-match winning run, and open their campaign against Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 7 February.
“We’ve picked a squad with a good balance of experience, leadership and exciting potential,” said Borthwick.
“We have a super group of senior, experienced Test players as well as these young players who are doing really well, bringing all their talent into the team.
“I’m really pleased that Billy Sela is in the England senior squad for the first time - a player of exceptional talent and potential. Greg Fisilau and Manny Iyogun have been in the squad at different times but are both playing really well.
Alongside Lawrence, who has a knee injury, and Baxter, flanker Ben Curry, fly half Fin Smith – who has a calf issue - and wing Tom Roebuck are named in a list of rehabbing players. All are expected to feature at some point during the tournament. Lock George Martin is ruled out through injury, with Arthur Clark returning to Borthwick’s second row options.
Furbank’s return is welcome after a period of torment that began with a broken arm in December 2024, with the full-back having played just six times for Northampton this season.
“George worked really hard to come back from injury and he had eight or nine weeks of consistently playing and training very well through that period,” Borthwick explained. “Two or three weeks later, he had a little knock but he’s back on the grass and will be involved in some game-time this weekend.
“It’s been a while since he was in the squad but he’s a super player, a 15 who also offers 10 cover. He has a great understanding of the backs given the number that come from Northampton so I'm delighted to be able to select him.”
England’s 36-player squad, and the rehab group, will assemble in Girona next week for a pre-tournament training camp.
England 36-player training squad
Props: Ellis Genge, Emmanuel Iyogun, Bevan Rodd, Joe Heyes, Vilikesa Sela, Trevor Davison.
Hookers: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Theo Dan.
Locks: Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, Arthur Clark.
Back rows: Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Greg Fisilau, Henry Pollock, Sam Underhill.
Scrum halves: Ben Spencer, Alex Mitchell, Jack van Poortvliet.
Fly halves: George Ford, Marcus Smith
Centres: Fraser Dingwall, Seb Atkinson, Max Ojomoh, Henry Slade.
Back three: Elliot Daly, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Cadan Murley, Freddie Steward.
Rehab: Ollie Lawrence, Fin Baxter, Fin Smith, Ben Curry,
Not considered for selection: Oscar Beard, Charlie Ewels, Curtis Langdon, George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Adam Radwan, Will Stuart,
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