The England Six Nations squad, unveiled earlier today, features a notable influx of new talent with no fewer than seven debutants included.
Players like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Chandler Cunningham-South are two names that are both expected to bring a certain amount of excitement to the team.
The focus, however, seems to be on those who did not make the final cut. Alfie Barbeary, who recently received a red card in Bath's victory over Racing 92, is a player drawing significant attention. The incident has raised concerns for Borthwick about a potential suspension for the player.
Addressing the squad announcement, the England coach emphasised the disciplinary proceedings as a contributing factor in the exclusion of the young player.
"I rate Alfie very highly and he knows that I have said that to him," Borthwick said. "We met a couple of weeks ago at a health food cafe in Bath and we had a good chat then, I spoke to him a week ago and yesterday and have been in regular contact with him.
"It is a competitive position and I think he has done really well."
“The disciplinary hearing tonight is a factor, I want certainty around the squad going forward. He has had some injury setbacks and it has tested his character.
"I think he is going to feature in the England team in the near future. If he continues the way he is going I think he is going to have a big part to play for English Rugby.
"I was recalling when I was coaching Leicester at the time and we were playing against Wasps, we were looking to equal a record for consecutive wins and we lost that day and Alfie’s performance in the second half of that game was incredible. I remember being sat there watching it and thinking this guy, he is not in the England squad now, but he will be an England regular in the future."
England's official 36-man 2024 Six Nations squad
Forwards:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Backs:
Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped)
Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps
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