Murley injury deepens England’s back‑three selection crisis

England have named Emmanuel Iyogun and Chandler Cunningham-South to replace Cadan Murley and Beno Obano, who were both ruled out after picking up injuries during the 45‑21 defeat to South Africa in Johannesburg.

Murley’s injury adds to Steve Borthwick’s selection woes in the back three, leaving the head coach already without George Furbank – who required appendicitis surgery before the Ellis Park loss – while Freddie Steward is also being assessed for an ankle issue.

Obano, who had made his return to the England set‑up for the first time since February 2023, has been superseded by uncapped prop Iyogun. The Northampton front‑rower, who has featured three times for England A, could earn his senior test cap.

Cunningham‑South, whose season with Harlequins ended in a ninth‑place finish in the Gallagher Premiership, has also been recalled to strengthen the back row.

A defeat against Fiji at Liverpool’s Hill Dickinson Stadium would intensify the mounting pressure on Borthwick, who is on a concerning run of five consecutive Test losses following a disastrous Six Nations campaign that saw England finish lower than ever.

England’s clash with Fiji paves the way for a trip to Argentina, where they will face Los Pumas in Córdoba later in the summer as part of the Nations Championship.

England’s Nations Championship fixtures

• South Africa 45-21 England (Johannesburg)
• vs Fiji (July 11) – Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool (2.10pm)
• vs Argentina (July 18) – Unico Stadium, Santiago del Estero (8.10pm)

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