England’s backline crisis worsens with two Harlequins ruled out before Fiji

At Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, the weight of expectation was already heavy on Steve Borthwick’s shoulders. Then came confirmation of two more absences from the England backline.

Wing Cadan Murley has joined full-back George Furbank in being ruled out of the encounter with Fiji, both sidelined by injury sustained during the defeat to South Africa. Prop Beno Obano, who featured from the bench against the Springboks, also drops out of the squad due to injury.

Northampton’s Emmanuel Iyogun has been called up as his replacement, adding a fresh face to Borthwick’s reshaped group. The Harlequins pair’s withdrawal leaves Borthwick with a backline selection headache ahead of a potentially defining Nations Championship fixture.

England are already on a five-match losing run and face the Pacific Islanders on Saturday afternoon under intense scrutiny. Wing Tom Roebuck arrived in camp on Monday as an initial replacement for Furbank, but Murley’s absence compounds the challenge.

Back five forward Chandler Cunningham-South has also been added to the squad, providing additional cover in the forward ranks. Steve Borthwick is now weighing up options for his starting lineup.

Teenage wing Noah Caluori is in contention for a debut, while South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg could make his first appearance if residency rules are met this week. Freddie Steward remains a doubt after rolling his ankle in training in Johannesburg last week.

The squad’s depleted state reflects the pressure on Borthwick, whose side arrive in Saturday’s clash with their reputation under sustained threat.