Centre Henry Slade has been recalled to England's starting line-up for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Fiji in Liverpool, as head coach Steve Borthwick seeks to end a run of five straight Test defeats. Slade, 33, was overlooked for the entire Six Nations campaign earlier this year but returns after strong domestic form in which he led Exeter to the Premiership final. The fixture carries significant weight, with Borthwick's side under mounting pressure after a poor run of results.

Slade's inclusion shifts Northampton's Tommy Freeman back to his preferred wing, ending a year-long attempt to convert him into an outside centre. Guy Pepper also comes in for Tom Curry at openside flanker, while uncapped trio Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori and George Kloska are set for Test debuts off the bench. England's recent slump includes a 45-21 loss to South Africa and Six Nations defeats by Scotland, Ireland, Italy and France. Although the RFU has backed Borthwick through to the 2027 World Cup, a sixth successive defeat would test that support. England next face Argentina away on 18 July.