England's upcoming clash with Fiji is already brewing with uncertainty! Key players are facing injury setbacks, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Let's dive into the details of what's happening and what it means for the game.
Quilter Nations Series: England vs. Fiji
The stage is set at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham for a thrilling match on Saturday, November 8th, with kick-off at 17:40 GMT. You can catch all the action live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, or follow the live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
The England squad is facing some unexpected hurdles. Wing Tom Roebuck is a major doubt after an ankle injury sustained during Tuesday's training session. This is a blow, considering Roebuck's impressive performance last weekend, where he played a crucial role in securing two tries in their 25-7 victory against Australia.
Adding to the injury woes, full-back Freddie Steward hasn't trained this week either, nursing a hand injury picked up during the Wallabies match at Twickenham.
Head coach Steve Borthwick is set to announce the matchday squad on Thursday, as England aims for their ninth consecutive victory.
But here's where it gets interesting... If Steward is unable to play, Marcus Smith is a strong contender to step in at full-back. Smith was notably absent from the squad last weekend, making his potential inclusion a significant shift in strategy.
The fly-half situation is also a talking point. With Smith, Fin Smith, and the experienced George Ford all vying for the fly-half position, assistant coach Kevin Sinfield admits the challenge lies in managing the expectations of all three players.
"You don't, you don't [keep them all happy]," Sinfield admitted. He further explained that at this level of competition, some level of frustration is inevitable. The players are eager for their chance to shine, but they understand the importance of teamwork. It's a balancing act, but they are professionals who can handle the ups and downs.
Sinfield also highlighted that Marcus Smith would be ready to step up at full-back, a position he's familiar with, having played there regularly over the past two years.
"He would always say on record he is a 10, but he understands that - when you look across all sports - the best players don't always play in the position they play for their clubs," Sinfield said.
And this is the part most people miss... Another player to watch is Henry Pollock. Sinfield believes it's only a matter of time before Pollock gets his first start for England, praising his confidence and remarkable talent. Pollock has already made a splash with impressive cameos off the bench, including scoring two tries against Wales in March and a game-changing score against Australia.
"He's very confident and absolutely believes in his ability. He's a great guy around the group, he's different, but he brings energy and enthusiasm, and the guy can play," said Sinfield.
"To have all the things he has as a 20-year-old is pretty remarkable. He'll keep striving to get better and better and it won't be long before he gets a start I'm sure."
What do you think? Will England's injury setbacks impact their performance? Who do you think should start at full-back if Steward is out? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
