England head coach Steve Borthwick has recalled center Henry Slade to the starting fifteen for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Fiji, a game England needs to win to stop a losing streak that has reached five straight Test defeats.
According to BBC Sport, Slade, 33, did not play a single minute during England's Six Nations campaign earlier this year. He had previously said publicly that he was frustrated to be left out of England's midfield plans. He finished the domestic season in strong form, leading Exeter to the Premiership final, and that form appears to have earned him his spot back.
Slade's return to the starting lineup causes a positional shift elsewhere. Northampton's Tommy Freeman moves back to the wing, his more natural position, after spending a year being used as an outside center.
The only other change to the starting XV is Guy Pepper replacing Tom Curry at openside flanker. Off the bench, three uncapped players are in line for their Test debuts: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori, and George Kloska.
Janse van Rensburg was born in Pretoria and previously represented South Africa's under-20 side more than a decade ago. He qualifies for England through five years of residency. His inclusion has drawn criticism from some who would prefer homegrown players get the opportunity. Caluori, a teenage try scorer for Saracens, and Janse van Rensburg both appeared in a non-cap match against a France XV last month but have not yet made their official Test debuts.
Slade was only added to last week's matchday squad as a late replacement after starting fullback George Furbank was ruled out with appendicitis. He came on in the 54th minute of England's 45-21 defeat to South Africa, replacing injured wing Cadan Murley. The backline that finished that game is now the backline Borthwick has named to start against Fiji.
England's recent form has been difficult. The loss to South Africa followed Six Nations defeats to Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and France. Borthwick still has the backing of Rugby Football Union leadership through the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, but that support will face more pressure if England loses again Saturday.
Borthwick kept his public comments measured this week. "We've had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training," he said. "We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us."
Kickoff is scheduled for 14:10 BST at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. England then travels to Argentina on July 18 for the final match of the summer leg of the Nations Championship.
