England rugby head coach Steve Borthwick is currently navigating a difficult period of squad selection as the team prepares for the upcoming autumn international schedule. The team has confirmed that flanker Guy Pepper and back Benhard van Rensburg will be unavailable for the entire autumn window due to injuries.

Pepper, who plays for Bath, sustained a significant ankle injury during a recent match against Gloucester. While the exact timeline for his recovery is still being assessed, it is confirmed he will miss several weeks of play. The loss of both Pepper and Van Rensburg creates a notable gap in Borthwick’s planning for the Nations Championship.

In addition to these confirmed absences, the coaching staff is monitoring the fitness of several other players. First-choice fly-half Fin Smith is currently facing injury concerns, and Borthwick has indicated that new fitness issues are appearing frequently. As a result, the head coach has expressed concern regarding the upcoming domestic Premiership fixtures, noting that he will be watching the weekend's games with caution to avoid further personnel losses before the international window begins.