England head coach Steve Borthwick has acknowledged that his squad's prop injury crisis is a "disruptive" setback, but remains committed to the team's goal of winning its first Six Nations title since 2020. The absence of key players like Dan Cole, Will Stuart, and Asher Opoku-Fordjour due to injuries has forced Borthwick to name two uncapped props in his squad - Vilikesa Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun.
Borthwick is confident that the team's depth and experience will help overcome the prop shortage. He highlighted that the squad has a "fantastic blend of experienced senior internationals" and an "incredibly talented young group of players" who are eager to prove themselves in Test rugby.
The coach also praised Greg Fisilau, one of the uncapped players called up for the squad, for his exceptional work rate and ability to carry the ball in traffic. Borthwick believes that this young player's hunger and drive will push the standards throughout the entire squad.
As for the Six Nations tournament, Borthwick is determined to attack it with a positive attitude, saying that he expects his team to come into the games ready to play brave, big, and fast rugby. He emphasized that the players are hungry for development and want to win every Test match they enter.
Despite the challenges posed by the prop injuries, Borthwick remains optimistic about England's chances of winning its first Six Nations title in six years. With a strong squad and a positive attitude, he is confident that his team can overcome any obstacles and achieve its goal.
Borthwick is confident that the team's depth and experience will help overcome the prop shortage. He highlighted that the squad has a "fantastic blend of experienced senior internationals" and an "incredibly talented young group of players" who are eager to prove themselves in Test rugby.
The coach also praised Greg Fisilau, one of the uncapped players called up for the squad, for his exceptional work rate and ability to carry the ball in traffic. Borthwick believes that this young player's hunger and drive will push the standards throughout the entire squad.
As for the Six Nations tournament, Borthwick is determined to attack it with a positive attitude, saying that he expects his team to come into the games ready to play brave, big, and fast rugby. He emphasized that the players are hungry for development and want to win every Test match they enter.
Despite the challenges posed by the prop injuries, Borthwick remains optimistic about England's chances of winning its first Six Nations title in six years. With a strong squad and a positive attitude, he is confident that his team can overcome any obstacles and achieve its goal.
Like, what if they get creamed by Ireland or Scotland? 
Those uncapped props Sela and Iyogun are gonna get smashed out there, no question. And don't even get me started on Greg Fisilau - I mean, yeah, he's got a great work rate and all that, but can he actually execute in high pressure situations? 
It sounds like a ticking time bomb to me. And Borthwick's all confident and stuff, but I'm not buying it. He's just trying to spin this to make himself look good... 
. Prop injuries are a huge blow to their squad, especially with Cole, Stuart, and Opoku-Fordjour out 
. But Borthwick's right, they do have some talented young guns like Sela and Iyogun who might just make the difference 
.
In fact, a study by the European Rugby Federation found that props are one of the most injury-prone positions on the pitch 
. England's squad depth and experience will definitely be put to the test this Six Nations 
.
. The stats say that teams with a strong squad dynamic have a 75% chance of winning their next game 
. And with Fisilau on board, they might just have the spark they need to ignite 
now they're relying on these new guys Vilikesa and Emmanuel... fingers crossed they don't let the team down 
. Borthwick's all about positivity though - it's nice to see him focus on the younger players, like Fisilau... reminds me of 2013 when England had that crazy resurgence with the likes of Manu Tuilagi and Christian Wade 
. six nations title in sight? only if they can figure out this prop shortage first 
anyway i think borthwick's right on the money tho about having a talented young squad, we've seen it work for teams before and i'm sure england can too 
and it sounds like England has got both in spades 
. And I'm intrigued by Greg Fisilau - his work rate and ability to carry the ball are definitely skills that could make a difference 
!