Following a brutal, high-altitude opening clash against South Africa at Ellis Park, Steve Borthwick faces a completely different tactical challenge in Round 2 of the inaugural Nations Championship 2026. England return home to face Fiji at Liverpool’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, July 11, providing the ultimate window for squad rotation.
With a gruelling trip to Argentina looming in Round 3, Borthwick is widely expected to rest his senior stars and blood the emerging talent named in his 36-man squad. Facing a flamboyant but structurally vulnerable Fijian side, this England vs Fiji predicted lineup balances tactical security with raw, uncapped Premiership potential.
The Backline: New Combinations and Raw Pace
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
The 25-year-old fullback provides a rock-solid safety net to anchor an otherwise inexperienced backline. While George Furbank offers a more expansive attacking game, Steward’s world-class aerial dominance and defensive positioning will be essential for defusing Fiji’s unpredictable tactical kicking and high-ball pressure. Expect Borthwick to rely on his test-match maturity to manage territory and act as the on-field defensive general from the back field.
14. Noah Caluori (Saracens)
The 19-year-old uncapped phenom is the hottest name in English rugby after exploding for 18 tries to finish as the Premiership’s joint-top try scorer. Caluori brings devastating raw pace and a lethal side-step that can turn half-chances into points. Against an expansive, unstructured Fijian defensive line, his ability to inject late pace into the line makes him a must-start on the right wing for an explosive international debut.
13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears)
At 29, the versatile, South African-born centre is finally getting his well-deserved England opportunity. His robust physical defence and subtle ball-distribution skills have been instrumental under Pat Lam at Bristol. Janse van Rensburg offers the perfect midfield foil for a young backline, capable of crashing over the gainline or unleashing outside backs with delicate offloads under pressure. This match represents a massive audition for a permanent squad role.
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
With just four caps to his name, the Gloucester playmaker provides the dual-playmaker option Borthwick values so highly. Atkinson’s sharp tactical kicking and spatial awareness alleviate the distribution burden on the fly-half. His defensive grit in the standard 12-channel will be severely tested by Fiji’s hard-running midfielders, making this a pivotal showcase for his international credentials as a premier second receiver.
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
Boasting six international caps, Murley has consistently knocked on the door for a regular starting role. His work rate off the ball, low centre of gravity, and prolific close-range finishing make him a constant threat. Facing Fiji’s dangerous counter-attacking outside backs, Murley’s disciplined edge defence and aggressive breakdown work will be just as critical as his try-scoring instincts on the left wing.
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
The 24-year-old Saints fly-half is ready to firmly grasp the keys to the England attack. With 16 caps, Smith provides a flawless tactical kicking game and elite game-management skills that contrast with Marcus Smith’s chaotic brilliance. Against Fiji, England must control the tempo and territorial battle; Fin Smith’s calm distribution and precise goal-kicking make him the ideal general to dictate terms from the opening whistle.
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
The 25-year-old scrum-half is steadily re-establishing his status as England’s primary tempo controller. Van Poortvliet’s crisp delivery from the base of the ruck and sharp box-kicking are central to Borthwick’s tactical blueprint. A fast-breaking team like Fiji will look to exploit slow ball, so his speed of service will be fundamental in keeping the visitors on the back foot and generating quick front-foot ball.
The Forwards: A New-Look Pack Built for Collision
1. George Kloska (Bristol Bears)
The 26-year-old uncapped loosehead prop has enjoyed a stellar domestic season with Bristol. A converted hooker, Kloska’s unique mobility and dynamic ball-carrying add an extra dimension to the front row. His set-piece consistency will face a heavy examination against a notoriously physical Fijian pack, but his work rate in the loose and ability to cover both sides of the scrum make him an invaluable asset.
2. Theo Dan (Saracens)
The high-octane Saracens hooker gets a golden opportunity to start ahead of veteran captain Jamie George. Known for his explosive carrying and relentless engine in the loose, Dan acts like an extra back-rower on the field. While his lineout throwing remains an area under intense scrutiny, his dynamic impact around the park is the perfect weapon to combat Fiji’s physical drift defence.
3. Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby)
In one of the most compelling storylines of the weekend, the 21-year-old uncapped Bath tighthead prodigy could debut against his heritage. Weighing in at a massive 116kg, Sela has developed a fierce reputation at set pieces under the guidance of Will Stuart. His immense physical stature and raw scrummaging power provide the ideal foundational platform England need to dominate the tight exchanges.
4. Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby)
The towering 24-year-old lock has just one international cap but represents the long-term future of England’s tight five. Clark is an exceptional lineout technician and a tireless worker in the dark spaces of the ruck. Borthwick will demand that he command the sky in Liverpool, utilising his height to disrupt Fijian set-pieces and secure clean primary possession for the young backs.
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
The 25-year-old enforcer is selected to provide the essential muscle and test-match grit to protect his younger tight-five partners. Martin’s bone-crunching tackle completion and aggressive defensive blitzes are legendary. Against a side that thrives on emotional momentum and physical intimidation, Martin will be tasked with shutting down the gainline early and stamping physical authority on the contest from the lock.
6. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs)
The 22-year-old uncapped Exeter Chief is a powerhouse back-rower built for the modern international game. Boasting an astonishing pace for a forward alongside soft hands inherited from his Tongan rugby lineage, Fisilau can tear defences apart in transition. Borthwick will unleash him to match Fiji’s athleticism in the wide channels while relying on his abrasive defensive instincts to secure vital turnovers.
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
The 21-year-old openside flanker is widely tipped as a future global superstar. Pollock’s extraordinary speed to the breakdown and relentless breakdown scavenging give England a classic number seven profile. Against a Fijian side that loves to keep the ball alive through offloads, Pollock’s primary objective will be slowing down their recycle speed and suffocating their attacking rhythm at the source.
8. Ted Hill (Bath Rugby)
The 27-year-old Bath forward brings explosive carrying power and structural versatility to the base of the scrum. With five caps, Hill’s ability to break tackles and carry over the gain line provides England with a critical direct attacking outlet. His massive work rate and lineout capability ensure the back row maintains a balanced, physical presence capable of matching Fiji’s renowned collision strength.
