Quick Read
- Tom Willis’ move to Bordeaux makes him ineligible for England selection under current rules.
- Steve Borthwick is focusing on players available for the 2027 World Cup.
- Emeka Ilione, 23, has impressed Borthwick with his technical skill and discipline.
- England’s back row features strong contenders including Ben Earl, Henry Pollock, and Chandler Cunningham-South.
- Ilione could make his international debut during the upcoming Autumn Internationals.
Tom Willis’ Departure Reshapes England’s Back Row
When Tom Willis picked up the phone and told England head coach Steve Borthwick he was leaving Saracens for Bordeaux in France, the ripple effect was immediate. It wasn’t just about a talented No 8 stepping away; it was about England’s future plans being rewritten in real time. Willis, whose decision to play overseas makes him ineligible for England under current rules, will see out his contract but won’t return to the squad. “Tom knows how highly I rate him,” Borthwick told BBC Sport, “but now all our time and energy must go to those who’ll be at the World Cup in two years.”
Willis’ exit isn’t just a personal crossroads—it’s a pivot point for England rugby, and one that brings other contenders to the fore. The back row is rich with options, but none more intriguing than Emeka Ilione, the uncapped Leicester Tigers powerhouse.
Emeka Ilione: From Bench Impact to England Spotlight
Ilione’s journey to the England squad is a testament to timing, talent, and tenacity. At just 23, he’s earned Borthwick’s attention for more than just his athleticism. “His performances in the second half of last season were exceptional,” Borthwick said, referencing Ilione’s ability to close out games with relentless energy and technical mastery. The new season has only sharpened his profile—Ilione has started strongly, showing versatility at No 8 and an instinct for the crucial jackal turnover.
It’s not just the steals, though. Ilione has a knack for winning the ball without conceding penalties—something Borthwick calls “the best I can see at stealing the ball and doing it in a way that means the referee rewards him.” That rare discipline sets him apart in a role where split-second judgment can mean the difference between a match-winning turnover and a costly penalty.
But there’s more to his game. As Borthwick explained to The Telegraph, “He’s a very, very powerful player. Most back-row forwards carry a little bit wider; he’ll carry tight, through traffic.” That kind of physicality—especially in tight spaces—gives England a different dimension. It’s not flashy, but it’s brutally effective. The Premiership final, where Ilione powered through defenders in the opposition 22, is a vivid example.
Who Fills the No 8 Void? England’s Back-Row Puzzle
Willis’ absence leaves a vacuum, and England’s coaching staff is weighing their options. Ben Earl, a proven performer and likely starter against Australia, brings relentless work-rate and consistency, even if he lacks some of Willis’ raw power. Henry Pollock, the young Lion who’s captured the Twickenham faithful’s imagination, offers agility and ball-carrying prowess, though he’s less tested at Test level.
Chandler Cunningham-South, a physical specimen at 6ft 5in and 18st 8lb, brings brute strength but has struggled for consistency. The uncapped Ilione, meanwhile, is the bolter—an outsider who could surprise, especially given his recent form and Borthwick’s ringing endorsements. “He’s fantastic over the ball, stealing ball and not conceding penalties,” Borthwick reiterated, highlighting Ilione’s ability to perform under pressure and in tight defensive situations.
“I think he also has a powerful carry, particularly a tight carry through tight defences. That is what he brings,” Borthwick told Ruck. For a squad seeking a new rhythm, Ilione’s skillset fits the bill.
England’s Training Camp: Opportunity for New Faces
The current England training camp is a crucible for change. With the Autumn Internationals on the horizon, Borthwick is working with a 36-player squad that balances established talent with rising stars. Injuries to Tom Curry and Elliot Daly mean the back row is particularly fluid. While both are expected to return later in the autumn, neither will be available for the opener against Australia.
That opens the door wider for Ilione and others to stake their claim. Among the faces in camp is 19-year-old Saracens wing Noah Caluori, whose recent five-try performance against Sale Sharks earned him a development spot. Borthwick has had Caluori on his radar for more than a year, impressed by his raw pace and finishing ability. Yet in the back row, all eyes are on how Ilione adapts to international demands and whether he can translate his club form into Test-level impact.
Ilione himself feels ready. Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, he described himself as “the strongest and fittest” he’s ever been, and emphasized the mental shift required: “Having the internal belief that you are a good carrier and that you can get through the contact and that the team needs you to go forward, so you do go forward.” That mindset, paired with technical ability, could be England’s secret weapon.
Looking Ahead: England’s Strategy and Squad Dynamics
Borthwick’s strategy is clear: invest time in players who will be around for the 2027 World Cup. The abrupt loss of Willis is a disappointment, but England’s depth—bolstered by players like Earl, Pollock, Cunningham-South, and now Ilione—offers hope. “We’ve got good back row speed and dynamism with the talent we have got,” Borthwick said. The challenge now is to fuse that talent into a coherent, winning unit with little preparation time before facing Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina.
The squad’s versatility is a strength. Whether it’s Ilione’s ability to play both eight and flanker, Pollock’s ball-carrying, or Cunningham-South’s power, England is not short on options. But the selection will be about more than physical attributes—it will be about who can rise to the occasion, adapt quickly, and deliver consistency.
For Ilione, the coming weeks could mark a turning point. If he can replicate his club form and maintain his discipline under the international spotlight, he may well go from “bolter” to key contributor.
England’s transition from Tom Willis to a new generation of back-row talent is both a challenge and an opportunity. Emeka Ilione, with his unique blend of technical skill and physical presence, represents the kind of player England needs for the future. If he seizes the moment, he could help define England’s identity at the next World Cup and beyond.
Image Credits to leicestertigers.com