Noah Caluori in line for England debut as Steve Borthwick makes two changes for Fiji Test in 2026 Nations Championship

Ellis Park Stadium saw the tourists lose 45-21 to the Rugby World Cup champions, while Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium will welcome the two nations for the second round of the tournament on Saturday, July 11.

Though Caluori and Janse van Rensburg have both been capped at England XV level, notably featuring together against France XV in June, neither have been involved in a senior Test.

And nor has Bristol Bears' George Kloska, who joins bright talents Henry Pollock and Asher Opoku-Fordjour on the bench.

Henry Slade comes into the starting XV in place of the injured Cadan Murley, with Tommy Freeman switching from outside centre to wing, as the first change to Borthwick's line-up.

The other change sees Guy Pepper promoted from the bench, taking over from Tom Curry at flanker.

Borthwick asked his side to be wary of a "dangerous" Fiji in the wake of a damaging defeat to the Springboks.

”We've had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,” said Borthwick.

”We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us.

”It's fantastic to be playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which is an outstanding venue. There is a real passion for rugby across the north of England, and we're looking forward to experiencing a brilliant atmosphere in Liverpool.”

Caluori took the Gallagher PREM by storm in the 2025/26 season, with the Saracens winger running in 18 tries, including five tries in each of his two appearances against Sale Sharks.

The 19-year-old is at the opposite end of his career to 29-year-old Janse van Rensburg, who was capped at youth level for South Africa in 2016.

The Pretoria-born back was cleared to feature for England by World Rugby, after the RFU (Rugby Football Union) lodged a successful appeal to switch his eligibility via residency grounds.

Janse van Rensburg joined London Irish in 2021 and has thus spent the requisite five years in England to qualify.

15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 51 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 28 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 75 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 5 caps)
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 81 caps) – vice-captain
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 111 caps) – captain
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
4. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 20 caps)
5. George Martin (Saracens, 22 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps) – vice-captain
7. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 52 caps)

Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
18. George Kloska (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
19. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 69 caps)
20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 31 caps)
22. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
23. Noah Caluori (Saracens, uncapped)

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