Steve Borthwick has named Henry Pollock on the bench and opted for experience in the back row as England prepare to face South Africa in their Nations Championship opener at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Key team news:

• Henry Pollock named among the replacements, with Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum and Ben Earl starting in the back row
• George Furbank returns at full-back for his first England appearance since November 2024
• Maro Itoje rested from the tour; Jamie George captains with Chessum and Ellis Genge as vice-captains
• Five changes from the side that lost 48-46 to France in the final round of the Six Nations
• George Martin returns to the second row for his first start since the 2025 Six Nations
• Marcus Smith set for his 50th cap from the bench

Borthwick has made five changes to the starting XV that went down in that dramatic defeat to France in Paris four months ago, with the head coach leaning on a tried and tested combination as England seek to end a run of four successive Test defeats.

The most debated selection sees Pollock, 21, named at 21 on the team sheet rather than in the starting back row. The Northampton flanker has been the form player in English rugby, winning back-to-back man-of-the-match awards as Saints claimed the Premiership title, and has become a figure of fascination in South Africa, where several former Springboks have publicly relished the prospect of seeing him tested by their pack.

Ready to go 💪

Steve Borthwick has named his team for our Nations Championship opener against South Africa on Saturday, July 4 at 16:40 BST.@O2 | #WearTheRose

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 2, 2026

“We had one person come up to him in the hotel and say the South Africans are coming for you,” reported team-mate George Furbank. “It was actually a guy who was Congolese. He came up and said: ‘You’re public enemy No 1 here, mate.'”

Borthwick, however, believes the 21-year-old’s dynamism is best deployed as an impact weapon later in proceedings.

“I’ve been really pleased so many times with what Henry Pollock has done off the bench for England,” Borthwick said. “I think when there’s a bit of fatigue and space in the game it really plays to Henry’s strengths. We love his personality, his enthusiasm and his energy.”

Instead, Curry returns to the openside after a calf injury sustained in the warm-up ahead of England’s defeat to Italy in round four of the Six Nations ruled him out of the France match. He joins Chessum on the blindside and Ben Earl at number eight in a back row built for the physical examination that awaits.

The biggest return comes at full-back, where Furbank starts for the first time since November 2024 after an injury-plagued 18 months. The 29-year-old hit peak form at the end of the Premiership season, steering Northampton to the title before his summer move to Harlequins.

“George Furbank has had so many little set-backs that would really test anybody’s character and resolve and he has come through it all,” said Borthwick. “While he might not have a huge number of caps at Test level, he is an experienced, calm head and such a top-quality rugby player.”

Furbank will line up alongside Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who returns on the wing after missing the France match through injury, and Cadan Murley on the opposite flank. Murley is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting him against double World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe.

“Cheslin Kolbe has probably been the standout winger since that 2019 World Cup to be honest,” Murley told BBC Sport. “Playing the champs in their own back yard — it’s a massive challenge but an exciting one.”

Fin Smith continues at fly-half, with Jack van Poortvliet preferred to Alex Mitchell at scrum-half. Mitchell, who has had only one appearance since returning from a hamstring injury — a 70-minute substitute outing in the Premiership final — drops to the bench. The centre pairing of Seb Atkinson and Tommy Freeman, which finished the Six Nations together, remains intact. Borthwick’s selection of the two biggest centre options available suggests a clear awareness of the physicality South Africa will bring.

The most notable absentee is regular captain Maro Itoje, who has been rested from the July tour to avoid burnout. The 31-year-old lock has completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game over the past decade, led the British and Irish Lions to a series win in Australia last year, and also played through the November window and Six Nations while mourning the death of his mother. Jamie George takes the captaincy in his Saracens team-mate’s absence.

George Martin comes in for Itoje to partner Alex Coles in the second row, making his first England start since the 2025 Six Nations. Up front, the experienced trio of Genge, George and Joe Heyes form the front row.

Borthwick has opted for a 6-2 bench split, loading the replacements with forward firepower. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Beno Obano and Asher Opoku-Fordjour provide front-row cover, with Charlie Ewels, Guy Pepper and Pollock completing the forward contingent. Mitchell and Marcus Smith, who will earn his 50th cap, are the only two backline options.

“I think we’ve got a really good bench that I want to bring on and finish the game really strong,” said Borthwick.

The head coach insisted England will not retreat into a purely defensive mindset against the world champions, pointing to the 48-46 defeat to France as evidence his young side can play with tempo and ambition against the best.

“I think we’ve got a young side that can run,” Borthwick said. “As much as everyone talks about the physical nature of the Springboks side — and they are very physical — they are a fit side. I think we’re going to need to run. We will need to score tries against a very good SA defence.”

Saturday’s match begins a demanding July schedule for England, with fixtures against Fiji in Liverpool and Argentina in Santiago del Estero to follow in the coming weeks.

“Playing South Africa at Ellis Park is one of the great tests in world rugby and an opportunity we’re excited to embrace,” said Borthwick. “We’ve prepared well since we arrived here last week and I sense a real excitement within the squad to get our Nations Championship campaign underway.”

England — starting XV:

15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps)
13. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 27 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 4 caps)
11. Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 6 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 51 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 68 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps) — vice-captain
5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
4. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 110 caps) — captain
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 80 caps) — vice-captain

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 58 caps)
17. Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 6 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
20. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
22. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 30 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 50 caps)

Match details: South Africa v England, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Saturday 5 July, 17:40 (SAST) / 16:40 (BST). Live on BBC Radio 5 Live (UK).

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has handed Ruben Love his first start at fly-half at test level, the headline call in a matchday 23 that includes two debutants and several bold positional shifts for the inaugural Nations Championship opener against France at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.

The 25-year-old led the Hurricanes to the Super Rugby Pacific title this season, running the competition’s most potent attack, but all five of his previous test caps under Scott Robertson came at fullback. Rennie has now given Love the keys to the All Blacks backline — a decision that signals the start of a new era in New Zealand rugby and ends a seven-year stretch in which only Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga occupied the playmaking role.

Key team news:

• Ruben Love starts at fly-half for the first time at test level, with Beauden Barrett omitted from the matchday 23 entirely
• Damian McKenzie named at fullback, with Will Jordan moved to the right wing
• Captain Ardie Savea switches to number eight, with Luke Jacobson at openside flanker and Peter Lakai at blindside
• Xavier Numia and Fehi Fineanganofo named on the bench as uncapped players set for debut
• Tupou Vaa’i unavailable due to concussion suffered in the Super Rugby final
• Josh Lord and Sam Darry form a new second-row partnership

Love will be flanked by Hurricanes club-mates Cam Roigard at scrum-half and Jordie Barrett at inside centre, a familiar combination that Rennie believes will smooth the step up. “He was outstanding,” Rennie said of Love’s Super Rugby campaign. “I’m sure there won’t be too many arguments about that selection. He sits in amongst Cam and Jordie, which will give him a lot of comfort.”

Rennie praised Love’s confidence in the team environment, noting the fly-half had impressed the coaching staff beyond just his on-field form. “He’s really confident, really clear, he’s spent a lot of time with Mike Blair, his ability, even in meetings, running things, has been impressive,” Rennie said.

Winger Will Jordan endorsed the selection. “Rubes has certainly bided his time in this environment, and he gets a chance to go out there and put his mark on the jersey this week,” Jordan said. “He’s got a real confidence about him, so no doubt he’ll go out there and back his ability.”

The decision to start Love at fly-half has significant knock-on effects through the back line. McKenzie, who has 74 caps and has competed with Barrett for the playmaking jersey in recent seasons, takes the fullback role. That pushes Jordan, who established himself as first-choice fullback under Robertson, back to the right wing — a position where he made his name under Ian Foster.

Rennie was enthusiastic about having both players in his back three, describing McKenzie and Jordan as “the best two fullbacks in the world” and relishing the prospect of both being on the pitch together. Rennie said he had discussed the move with Jordan during the Super Rugby season and that the 28-year-old was comfortable with either role. “I think the type of game that we will play, he will get his hands on the ball a lot,” Rennie said of Jordan’s wing role.

Caleb Clarke completes the back three on the left wing, selected in part for his aerial ability against what Rennie anticipates will be a kick-heavy French approach. The omission of Barrett, with 145 caps to his name, from the matchday 23 entirely is the most striking casualty. Rennie praised the veteran’s contribution in camp but said that form demanded reward. “I’ve been really impressed with Beauden. His contribution has been massive, he’s training really well,” Rennie said.

Quinn Tupaea has been preferred to Billy Proctor at outside centre alongside Barrett in midfield, with Proctor providing cover from the bench. Tupaea, regarded as one of the most destructive ball carriers in the squad, started two tests in the No 13 jersey last year.

The loose forward combination is arguably the most debated selection in the entire matchday 23. Captain Ardie Savea, who has worn the openside flanker jersey for the past two seasons at both club and international level, moves to number eight. Luke Jacobson starts at openside, while Peter Lakai — who has not started a first-class match at blindside flanker — takes the No 6 jersey.

Rennie downplayed the significance of the positional shifts. “It’s just numbers on the back for me,” he said. “We like Luke, Luke’s tough. He’ll have a real physical presence against the French, and we think that’s really important. Both Pete and Ardie will also give us post-tackle presence; they’re excellent athletes who suit our type of game.”

Rennie admitted the back row was the area that generated the most discussion among his selection panel, which includes co-selectors Sir Graham Henry and Neil Barnes. “It was the area we probably discussed most around combinations,” he said. On Lakai’s positional switch from number eight, where he was outstanding for the Hurricanes this season, to the blindside, Rennie said the only practical change was at scrum time. “He’s packing down at No 6 at the scrum, that’s probably the only difference,” Rennie said.

Jacobson, the Chiefs captain, was unfazed by the assignment. “The actual number on the back doesn’t have so much of an impact,” he said. “I’ll play my game. I’ve been picked for a reason.” The 29-year-old has endured an injury-plagued two years, breaking his thumb in October 2024 before a quad injury and subsequent concussion saw him miss the entire 2025 international season.

Wallace Sititi, returning from a concussion that ended his Super Rugby campaign, provides loose forward cover from the bench.

In the second row, Josh Lord and Sam Darry form a new starting combination in the absence of Tupou Vaa’i, who has not recovered from the concussion he suffered in the Chiefs’ Super Rugby final defeat to the Hurricanes. Patrick Tuipulotu brings experience from the reserves.

The front row of Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell is a settled combination. Taylor will earn his 107th cap on Saturday. Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia is one of two uncapped players in the squad and will debut off the bench alongside Tyrel Lomax and Asafo Aumua.

The other debutant, Fehi Fineanganofo, was Super Rugby’s joint leading try-scorer this season with 17 tries, level with Hurricanes team-mate Josh Moorby. The winger will look to make an impact from the bench as the No 23.

Rennie has spoken extensively about wanting his side to play with “optimism” — a word he uses to describe both attacking ambition and defensive work ethic. “Playing with optimism is a mindset around ‘how do you score from here?’,” Rennie explained. “But optimism is also around your work ethic. So if we’re optimistic, we’ll get people back and get people into position quickly, so you can play.”

Jordan said the squad had embraced the new approach. “Optimism’s the word to use. We want to be positive in the way we play the game,” he said. “We’ll balance that with being smart and understanding what test rugby brings and certainly under no illusions that the brutality and the physical battle will be a huge part of it as well.”

France arrive in Christchurch without several frontline players, including scrum-half Antoine Dupont and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, but Rennie firmly dismissed suggestions the visitors are a weakened side. “We’re well aware what the French can bring,” he said. “They come alive when they’ve got opportunities to play.” Jordan agreed, saying the All Blacks would not be underestimating the opposition. “Certainly not disrespected,” he said. “Looking at their squad, certainly plenty of decent cattle there.”

Saturday’s match is the first fixture in the inaugural Nations Championship and the first test in Christchurch in four years. France have not played in the city since suffering a 30-0 defeat in 2013. The two sides have met 67 times previously, with the All Blacks winning 51 of those encounters. France have won just four times on New Zealand soil.

“It is an honour to play the first test match at the new Christchurch stadium and to bring the All Blacks back to this proud rugby region,” Rennie said. “What a way to start our season, playing under the roof in front of a sold-out stadium.”

All Blacks team to play France:

15. Damian McKenzie (74 caps)
14. Will Jordan (54 caps)
13. Quinn Tupaea (24 caps)
12. Jordie Barrett (78 caps)
11. Caleb Clarke (33 caps)
10. Ruben Love (5 caps)
9. Cam Roigard (17 caps)
8. Ardie Savea (106 caps) — captain
7. Luke Jacobson (24 caps)
6. Peter Lakai (8 caps)
5. Sam Darry (8 caps)
4. Josh Lord (12 caps)
3. Fletcher Newell (35 caps)
2. Codie Taylor (106 caps)
1. Ethan de Groot (40 caps)

Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua (20 caps), 17. Xavier Numia*, 18. Tyrel Lomax (48 caps), 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (56 caps), 20. Wallace Sititi (19 caps), 21. Cortez Ratima (21 caps), 22. Billy Proctor (11 caps), 23. Fehi Fineanganofo*

* Uncapped

Match details: New Zealand v France, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch. Saturday 4 July, 7.05pm NZST. Live on Sky Sport.

Joe Schmidt has recalled fullback Jock Campbell for his first Test in 1,316 days as the Wallabies head coach named his side for Saturday’s Nations Championship opener against Ireland at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney (kick-off 8pm AEST). In what is shaping as Schmidt’s final home campaign before handing over the reins to Les Kiss, the 59-year-old has balanced experience with emerging talent, handing a potential debut to Brumbies lock Lachlan Shaw while welcoming back several players from European club stints.

Key team news:

• Jock Campbell starts at fullback for his first Test in 1,316 days, replacing Max Jorgensen at 15
• Lachlan Shaw named on the bench for a potential Test debut as Wallaby number 996
• Ryan Lonergan earns his first Test start at scrum-half alongside Carter Gordon
• Josh Canham makes his first Test start in the second row
• James Slipper comes out of retirement to be named among the replacements
• Angus Bell returns from his Ulster sabbatical to start at loosehead prop

Campbell’s selection is the headline. The 31-year-old Queensland Reds fullback last wore the gold jersey in Australia’s win over Wales in Cardiff in November 2022 under then-coach Dave Rennie, and was subsequently overlooked by both Eddie Jones and Schmidt across two full seasons of Test rugby. His 1,316-day wait between Tests places him 11th on the all-time Wallabies list in the professional era, and remarkably matches the exact same gap endured by George Smith before his famous third Lions Test recall in 2013.

Your Wallabies to face Ireland in our first-ever Nations Championship Test 🦘 pic.twitter.com/JETyr1rmOG

— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 2, 2026

Despite consistently strong form at Super Rugby level, Campbell never received a look-in until now. His outstanding 2026 campaign with the Reds — during which he was named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Tournament — has finally forced Schmidt’s hand. The Inverell junior was preferred to both Tom Wright, who is still returning from a ruptured ACL sustained nine months ago, and Max Jorgensen, who shifts to the right wing where Schmidt considers him more impactful.

Schmidt made clear his reasoning at Thursday’s press conference. “I think Jock has had a really good season for the Reds,” the Wallabies coach said. “He’s a player that we’ve had discussions over the last two years about him not being far away.” Schmidt pointed to Campbell’s aerial game and kicking as key factors, calling him “a good solution for us at fullback.”

Campbell himself acknowledged the emotions of the occasion when named in the wider squad last month. “It’s definitely a sort of first-day-of-school type of vibe,” he said. “Just excited to rip in.” The fullback conceded he had harboured doubts during his long absence, but praised Schmidt’s communication throughout. “I guess you always have a little bit of doubt,” Campbell admitted. “But you can only do one thing and that’s get on with it.”

He will square off against Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, who has endured his own extended absence from Test rugby and possesses a similarly well-rounded game at the back.

In the halves, Schmidt has opted for an entirely new starting partnership, pairing Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan with Reds fly-half Carter Gordon. The pair have never played minutes together at any level — a notable gamble against the world’s third-ranked side. Lonergan earns his first Test start after being named in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, displacing Tate McDermott, who is still finding his feet following a long-term injury. Schmidt was measured in his explanation: “We just felt one player had a little bit more game time, was a little bit more in his game rhythm,” he said. Lonergan’s goal-kicking ability was also cited as a factor, with Schmidt noting it provides “the security of another kicker in the team.”

McDermott will instead provide impact from the bench, alongside the versatile Ben Donaldson, who rounds out the matchday 23 as playmaking cover.

The tight five features several notable inclusions. Angus Bell returns from his sabbatical season with Ulster to start at loosehead prop — and will now line up against a number of his Belfast team-mates. Bell has won 50 Test caps and completes a front row with hooker Josh Nasser and the highly experienced Allan Alaalatoa, who has 88 Tests to his name. Reds lock Josh Canham earns his first Test start in the second row alongside Western Force captain Jeremy Williams, having made just two previous appearances from the bench. Nasser backed his Queensland team-mate to deliver on the occasion. “He’s a very skilful, intelligent lock,” the hooker said. “He was very dominant” on his return from injury at the end of the Super Rugby season.

The back row is the most settled unit in the side. Two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini starts at blindside flanker, Reds skipper Fraser McReight is at openside, and Harry Wilson captains the side from number eight — a familiar and combative loose trio that has been central to Australia’s improvements under Schmidt.

In midfield, 2026 John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau returns from his sabbatical at Exeter Chiefs to start at inside centre, reconnecting with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for the 14th time in the Wallabies’ last 19 Tests. Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch completes the back three on the left wing alongside Jorgensen and Campbell.

On the bench, the most eye-catching inclusion is Lachlan Shaw, the 23-year-old Brumbies lock who is in line to become Wallaby number 996. Shaw entered the year with just six Super Rugby starts to his name but was a revelation in 2026, starting 13 of his 14 appearances as the Brumbies reached the playoffs. He finished third in the competition for lineout steals, behind only Williams and Japan captain Warner Dearns. Schmidt described Shaw as “a high-volume player” who is “lean and athletic,” praising his ability to contest in the air and play close to the ground despite his size. “He’s a young man that’s really driven to be where he is and to go even further,” the coach added.

Valetini, Shaw’s Brumbies team-mate, endorsed the selection, calling him “a great lineout option” who is “quick off the ground and very light to lift.” Shaw himself described the prospect of earning a cap as fulfilling a childhood dream. “I’ve aspired to be a Wallaby forever since I started playing rugby when I was little,” he said last month.

Shaw’s potential debut adds to the sense of renewal on the Wallabies bench, which also features the remarkable James Slipper. Australia’s most-capped player, with 151 Test appearances, has come out of retirement after initially farewelling the game following last year’s Bledisloe Cup. He is joined by the experienced Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Paris-based Taniela Tupou in a powerful replacement front row. Exeter-based Tom Hooper provides back-row cover, while Wright and McDermott complete the bench as the two players returning from long-term injuries.

Schmidt acknowledged the scale of the challenge his side faces. “The group has reconnected quickly and we’ve worked hard over the past week to prepare as best we can,” the coach said, noting his team had managed just four training sessions together over the past fortnight. Ireland, ranked third in the world, arrive in Sydney with close to a dozen players returning from last year’s Lions series victory over Australia.

Asked whether he wished to continue coaching beyond this campaign, Schmidt was unequivocal. “No. I didn’t really plan to be here still,” he said, explaining that his extended tenure was simply about providing continuity until Kiss’s arrival. “We need to start getting some performances that are consistent enough to provide results. We know that these next three games are a pressure point for us.”

The Wallabies face France in Brisbane and Italy in Perth in the following two rounds before a two-Test series against Japan in August, the Rugby Championship, and a demanding end-of-year tour to England, Scotland and Wales.

Australia:

15. Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds, 4 caps)
14. Max Jorgensen (NSW Waratahs, 20 caps)
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 18 caps)
12. Len Ikitau (ACT Brumbies, 50 caps)
11. Dylan Pietsch (Western Force, 9 caps)
10. Carter Gordon (Queensland Reds, 9 caps)
9. Ryan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies, 5 caps)
1. Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 50 caps)
2. Josh Nasser (Queensland Reds, 11 caps)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 88 caps)
4. Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 25 caps)
5. Josh Canham (Queensland Reds, 2 caps)
6. Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies, 62 caps)
7. Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 39 caps)
8. Harry Wilson (Queensland Reds, 36 caps) — captain

Replacements:

16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force, 25 caps)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds, 151 caps)
18. Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds, 68 caps)
19. Lachlan Shaw (ACT Brumbies, uncapped)
20. Tom Hooper (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
21. Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds, 50 caps)
22. Ben Donaldson (Western Force, 19 caps)
23. Tom Wright (ACT Brumbies, 43 caps)

Match details: Australia v Ireland, Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Saturday 4 July, 8pm AEST/11.10am Irish time. Live on Stan Sport.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZRU)