London (AFP) - England have recalled Henry Slade for their crucial Nations Championship clash against Fiji in Liverpool on Saturday as coach Steve Borthwick bids to avoid a sixth straight defeat.

Slade did not feature at all during England’s woeful Six Nations, where they lost four out of their five games.

But the 33-year-old centre had a strong finish to the domestic season, leading Exeter to the Prem final, and impressed off the bench during England’s comprehensive 45-21 defeat by world champions South Africa in their Nations Championship opener in Johannesburg last week.

Slade’s return means Northampton’s Tommy Freeman is deployed in his more familiar wing role following a year-long effort to convert him into an outside centre.

Guy Pepper changes places with the benched Tom Curry at openside flanker in the only other alteration to the England starting XV well beaten by the Springboks.

Marcus Smith continues at full-back after being a late addition to the team against South Africa when George Furbank was ruled out of the remainder of the July fixtures by appendicitis.

Meanwhile, the uncapped trio of South Africa-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori and George Kloska could all make their Test debuts off the bench.

- ‘Tough challenge’ -

On paper, Fiji represent the weakest of England’s three opponents in a July phase of the Nations Championship which finishes with a tough assignment away to Argentina next weekend.

Fiji started the tournament with a 39-24 defeat by Wales in Cardiff but did beat England 30-22 in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham three years ago and ran them close again at the event proper before losing 30-24 in Marseille.

England won 38-18 when the teams last met, at Twickenham in November.

But the fact Borthwick has resisted making wholesale changes to his side following England’s decisive loss to the Springboks, and ahead of what is sure to be a gruelling encounter with the Pumas, demonstrates the importance of Saturday’s match, with defeat certain to lead to renewed pressure on the former England captain.

“We’ve had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,” said Borthwick after naming his team on Thursday.

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

Although Saturday’s match is being played at the home of Premier League club Everton, it is technically a Fiji ‘home game’, with the Pacific islanders staging their July fixtures in Britain for financial reasons.

Fiji have recalled fly-half Caleb Muntz, one of the heroes of their 2023 triumph over England.

The 26-year-old Provence playmaker, who also scored a try against England in November, is among several changes to the team following last week’s loss in Cardiff and features in a powerful backline also including the midfield duo of Kalaveti Ravouvou and Josua Tuisova.

Teams (15-1)

England

Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; Fin Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ben Earl, Guy Pepper, Ollie Chessum; George Martin, Alex Coles; Joe Heyes, Jamie George (capt), Ellis Genge

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, George Kloska, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori

Coach: Steve Borthwick (ENG)

Fiji

Salesi Rayasi; Vuate Karawalevu, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo; Caleb Muntz, Simione Kuruvoli; Levani Botia, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Peceli Yato; Isoa Nasilasila, Tevita Ratuva; Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanivere (capt), Eroni Mawi

Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Livai Natave, Peni Ravai, Temo Mayanavanua, Elia Canakaivata, Pita Gus Sowakula, Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Coach: Senirusi Seruvakula (FIJ)