England Rugby Faces Full-Back Uncertainty Ahead Fiji Clash

England rugby faces a potential fullback selection challenge ahead of their match against Fiji, as Freddie Steward is doubtful due to a hand injury sustained during the recent win over Australia. Steward, regarded as a leading fullback especially under the high ball, missed training sessions and must prove his fitness before the team announcement. With key fullbacks George Furbank and Elliot Daly sidelined due to injuries, England may turn to alternatives like Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman, or Tom Roebuck for the No 15 jersey, despite their differing experience and roles. Coach Steve Borthwick is also considering using this fixture to experiment with positional flexibility by trialing Ben Earl, a back row player, at inside centre and potentially deploying Henry Pollock on the wing. Earl, who was player of the match against Australia, expressed readiness to adapt to new roles to support squad versatility ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. These strategic adjustments reflect England's efforts to deepen squad options and test versatility against a lower-ranked Fiji side in the Autumn Nations Series.