Henry Slade returns to England starting line-up vs Fiji
Henry Slade returns to England's starting line-up at outside centre for the england fiji Nations Championship match on Saturday at Liverpool's Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Steve Borthwick making two changes as England seek to end a five-match losing run and avoid a sixth successive Test defeat. The 33-year-old Exeter Chiefs centre had not played a minute during England's Six Nations campaign earlier this year.
Key Takeaways
- Henry Slade starts at 13 for England against Fiji on Saturday, 11 July, with kick-off at 14:10 BST at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
- Tommy Freeman moves back to the wing and Guy Pepper replaces Tom Curry at openside flanker in the only two changes to the starting XV.
- Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori and George Kloska are poised to make their England Test debuts from the bench.
- Steve Borthwick sidestepped questions about his future if England lose, saying his conversations with the Rugby Football Union are private.
- England have lost their last five Tests, and Borthwick is trying to avoid a sixth successive defeat against Fiji.
Why has Henry Slade been recalled for England vs Fiji?
Slade's return ends a frustrating spell on the sidelines. The 75-cap centre previously admitted he was frustrated to be out of England's midfield equation after failing to feature in the disastrous 2026 Six Nations campaign.
He finished the domestic season in excellent form, leading Exeter Chiefs to the Premiership final. Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said Slade had worked harder than anyone in the last 12 months to earn his recall, telling the club website that everyone at Sandy Park was delighted for him.
Slade last started for England against Argentina in 2025. His inclusion means Northampton's Tommy Freeman returns to his more natural wing position after a year-long experiment converting him into an outside centre.
What changes has Steve Borthwick made to the England team?
Borthwick has made two changes to the starting XV. Slade comes in at outside centre, with Freeman shifting to the right wing and Seb Atkinson continuing at inside centre alongside Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the left.
The other change sees Bath's Guy Pepper promoted from the bench to replace Tom Curry at openside flanker. Curry drops to the replacements, where he is joined by three uncapped players: prop George Kloska, centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg and winger Noah Caluori, all poised for Test debuts.
Jamie George captains from hooker, with Ellis Genge as vice-captain. Marcus Smith starts at full-back, with Fin Smith and Jack van Poortvliet in the half-backs.
Is Steve Borthwick under pressure ahead of the Fiji match?
England arrive in Liverpool on a five-match losing streak that has intensified scrutiny on Borthwick's position. The head coach acknowledged that he and his players feel the hurt and pain of supporters, but sidestepped questions about his job security if England lose again.
"The conversations I have with the RFU are private," Borthwick told reporters, according to The Guardian. "All I focus upon is this Saturday."
England need a result against a Fiji side featuring dangerous attacking threats. For more breaking sports updates, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
When and where is England vs Fiji?
England face Fiji in the Nations Championship on Saturday, 11 July 2026, with kick-off at 14:10 BST at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The match will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, with live text commentary also available, BBC Sport reports.
Slade's experience and Freeman's return to the wing give England a reshuffled backline as Borthwick tries to snap the losing run on home soil.