2 weeks Ago By Michael Hincks
Steve Borthwick named his 36-player squad for the Autumn Internationals last week, and while there were no shock selections, doubts remain over who will be prioritised for England as the rivalry between George Furbank and Freddie Steward continues. England will face New Zealand in their first test at Twickenham on 2 November, and the last time the two sides met Borthwick prioritised Furbank at 15 in the first Test before he withdrew through injury. The debate around who should be England’s starting full-back began at the Six Nations against Scotland and Ireland and has continued into autumn .
Steward has started the Gallagher Premiership season with a reinvigorated flair , showing why he should not be overlooked for England selection and contributing towards Leicester sitting third in the table after only one defeat against Bath. Read Next The Welsh rugby club that wants to merge with England's Premiership Under new skipper Furbank, title holders Northampton are fifth, having had a difficult start to the season because of recent departures and injuries. In the East Midlands derby earlier this month, Furbank faced Steward, with the Leicester full-back named man of the match after strongly contributing to the 24-8 victory.
Steward was a mainstay on the England teamsheet until last year, having started in 28 consecutive fixtures since his 2021 debut against the United States. But after a third pool match against Chile in the World Cup where the 23-year-old was subbed for Marcus Smith and also in the quarter-final, it was apparent Borthwick had other plans for who should be England’s full-back. Furbank’s selection in two Six Nations fixtures, where he scored against Scotland and Ireland, showed he had become a new contender for the 15 role.
A recent poll conducted by RugbyInsideLine on X showed that Furbank was the new favourite amongst their followers. Ahead of the Autumn Internationals former England fly-half Tom May shared his thoughts on the players’ strengths and weaknesses. “It’s well documented Furbank’s put on a bit of timber which has helped in the carry,” May tells i .
“He looks quicker and when teams kick to him, his running game and vision give something different to Steward,” a skillset which has made him difficult to defend. May compared Furbank’s strengths to 23-year-old Steward who has played at Tigers since the start of his career. “When Steward was the English full-back, I wanted to see him with more acceleration into the line but as a big man, it is difficult,” May adds.
“But Steward’s ability to be rock solid at the back when you need it is something England will need through November.” Steward was a dominant player a few seasons ago and has struggled more recently, but with his age and his abilities “someone of his quality is always going to bounce back from dips in form,” May said. Read Next I asked every Championship rugby club if they want promotion - only two said yes The recent East Midlands derby played no part in May’s thoughts on the two players’ eligibility as “there’s a lot of pressure and emotional energy in those fixtures”.
According to May, evaluating the player’s performance has to be done more holistically, with the mistakes made and the opportunities ahead for the whole team considered. “There are not many weaknesses for either of them. They have both got super strengths,” May, a pundit for RugbyInsideLine, says.
“But Furbank has had the rub of the green recently so I’d be surprised if he wasn’t starting at 15 against the All Blacks.” If Borthwick chooses to prioritise an attack-minded selection, fans should see Furbank face New Zealand and Australia, as his speed and ability under a high ball are the perfect counter to these southern hemisphere sides. Borthwick could then utilise Steward’s characteristic strength against the physical South African style.
Borthwick may also choose to test Furbank, Steward and Smith all at 15, with a match against Japan to follow. This could see Smith develop in the role at 15, which he has dabbled in previously, and provide an opportunity for Northampton Saints’ fly-half Finn Smith to have more experience at international competitions. The option to do so is a positive according to May as “having competition for places is what’s needed, we need multiple players capable of stepping in and doing a fantastic job for their country”.
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