Borthwick now spoilt for choice at 15, says Piutau

CHARLES Piutau feels England’s decision to drop Freddie Steward in favour of George Furbank at full-back shows the embarrassment of riches Steve Borthwick has at his disposal.

- BEN JAYCOCK

The 17-time capped All-Black and current Tongan international Piutau is currently plying his trade in Japan Rugby League One with Shizuoka Blue Revs starring in the centres after departing the financially challenged Premiership to move closer to his family.

Leicester Tigers’ Steward had been an almost mainstay since breaking into the England team in 2021, aside from a brief experiment with Marcus Smith at 15 last year, with the serial bomb defuser a key part of England’s valiant effort against eventual winners South Africa in the closely fought World Cup semi-final.

However, Steward, who is known as one of the best under the high ball in the modern game, was dropped in place of his East Midlands rival at Northampton Saints, with Furbank scoring after five minutes in the 30-21 loss to Scotland.

Furbank had been in blistering form in the Premiership for Northampton, helping his side go top of the table heading into the Six Nations break and retained his place for the shock victory over Ireland and the closely fought loss to France on Super Saturday.

While Steward was left out of the squad for England’s final three games, former Bristol Bears and Wasps full-back Piutau,