The Evolution of England's Back Row: From Powerhouses to Versatile Specialists
England's back row has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade, shifting from a powerhouse trio to a versatile unit with a unique blend of skills. But here's where it gets intriguing: the man at the heart of this evolution, Steve Borthwick, has a delicate balancing act ahead of the Six Nations.
A decade ago, England's redemption story was penned by two flankers, Chris Robshaw and James Haskell, whose England careers could have ended with Eddie Jones' arrival. Jones, who had criticized Robshaw during the World Cup, praised his workmanlike qualities but questioned his impact at Test level. Meanwhile, Haskell spent the tournament on the fringes, more focused on selfies than smashing opponents.
Jones, however, quickly changed his tune. One of his coaching triumphs was turning a potential weakness into a super-strength, building a team around Robshaw, Haskell, and Billy Vunipola, who brought relentless work rate and physicality. This trio was instrumental in England's grand slam triumph in Paris, with Vunipola named man of the match and Haskell leading the tackle count.
Fast forward to the present, and the game has evolved. With the advent of 6-2 benches and loose forwards capable of covering back-line positions, Borthwick faces a different challenge. He has a wealth of options but lacks enforcers, especially with George Martin injured and no Vunipola-like No. 8. Instead, he emphasizes pace over power and has a deep pool of young talent to draw from.
For the big November games, England started with Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, and Ben Earl, introducing Tom Curry and Henry Pollock later. Pepper, a turnover specialist at Bath, and Pollock, a game-breaking ball-carrier, were the breakthrough players of 2025. Pepper, in particular, has been compared to All Blacks great Richie McCaw.
Courtney Lawes, a veteran of the 2016 campaign, praised Pepper's performance, calling him England's player of the autumn series. Underhill and Curry, who succeeded Haskell and Robshaw in 2017, provide a concussive punch on the open side, maintaining England's intensity. Pollock's introduction often shifts Earl into midfield, allowing for a four-back-rower finish.
Robshaw reflects on the game's evolution, highlighting Pollock's speed and the changing style of back-rowers. If England has a missing piece, it's a specialist ball-carrying No. 8 like Vunipola. Tom Willis, arguably Europe's best, is unavailable due to his move to Bordeaux-Bégles. Emeka Ilione, an uncapped Leicester Tigers loose forward, is the next best option, a beast over the ball who has played open-side flanker. Ilione, along with Greg Fisilau and Chandler Cunningham-South, are young talents vying for a spot.
England's use of the bench in the autumn reversed the 2024 trend of falling away in the final quarter. Borthwick strategically held back Curry and Pollock, a stark contrast to Clifford's 13-minute appearances a decade ago. Now, England aims to deploy five forwards together after 50 minutes.
As England looks ahead to the 2027 World Cup, they are investing in players they believe will make the tournament. The back row is stacked with talent, a far cry from the 2016 grand slam team. And this is the part most people miss: Borthwick's challenge is to find the perfect blend of power and pace, experience and youth, to create a back row that can dominate on the international stage.
