England squad for 2023 Six Nations: Five debutants included as new coach Steve Borthwick names first group

The 2023 Six Nations is shaping up to be a tournament that could set the tone for Europe’s top rugby sides throughout the coming year — a year that includes the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in September and October.

England were beaten finalists at the last Rugby World Cup in Japan, but the past 12 months have been rocky to say the least for the 2019 runners-up: they won just five of their 12 games in 2022 before parting company with head coach Eddie Jones.

The Australian’s replacement at the top table is ex-Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick, a former England captain and someone who acted as forwards coach for the first five of Jones’ seven years in charge between 2015 and 2020.

An all-action second-rower, 43-year-old Borthwick won 57 England caps during his playing career and captained the side in 2008 and 2009, during which time he played for Bath and later Saracens before retiring in 2014.

His move into coaching came almost as soon as he hung up the boots, but after fulfilling assistant and specialist roles until 2020, it was his tenure as the Leicester head coach that really caught the attention of the RFU, leading the Tigers to their first Premiership since 2013 in only his second full season in charge.

With a backroom team consisting of rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield (defence), former All Black Nick Evans (attack) and former Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill (forwards), Borthwick has certainly picked an intriguing first squad ahead of the Six Nations, and one that will hopefully bring back the excitement and spark that was sorely lacking from England during Jones’ final months.

Which of our @SixNationsRugby matches are you looking forward to most? pic.twitter.com/JCEHXFTizY

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 18, 2023

England squad for 2023 Six Nations

Steve Borthwick’s first England squad features 36 players in total, with a split of 20 forwards and 16 backs. Five uncapped players feature in that number, all of whom could make their debuts in England’s first match of the tournament against Scotland.

Courtney Lawes and George McGuigan are doubts for the opening match due to injury. They withdrew from England’s training camp and were replaced by Tom Dunn and David Ribbans.