England secured an extremely impressive 45-22 win against Australia on Sunday, but two injury problems have put somewhat of a dampener on proceedings.
England's win over the Wallabies moved them up to second in the Northern Hemisphere Nations Championship standings, giving them half a chance of reaching the inaugural final.
The win was much needed for Steve Borthwick's side, who are still reeling from their fifth place finish at the last Six Nations, just one year out from the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
One of the key stand-outs from the match, England's backline began to look settled, with key positions such as the centre partnership and the back three finally looking like Borthwick had decided on his first choice side.
However, injuries to a couple of England's key backs stars threatens to derail the small progress made by Borthwick's side in recent matches, with three games left of the 2026 Nations Championship.
The first of England's injury worries came seven minutes from half time, with winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso limping through the remainder of the first half with an ankle knock.
Feyi-Waboso was replaced by Henry Pollock at half time, with the Exeter winger pictured in a protective boot at the end of the match.
England's other worry is centre Seb Atkinson, who seems to have cemented himself as his nation's starting 12, with the Gloucester man suffering a reported hip injury in Sunday's win.
The Times have reported that both players are set to miss England's match against Japan on Saturday, in what is a crushing blow for Steve Borthwick.
Atkinson is reportedly the less serious of the pair, with the Gloucester centre set to only miss the Japan game and return for the final match of the groups against New Zealand in two weeks.
However, it has been reported that things "look more serious" for Exeter winger Feyi-Waboso, who has had a rotten injury record of late.
The 23-year-old is set to undergo a scan on his ankle in the coming days, which should shed light on the extent of his injury.
Who could replace them both in the England side for Japan?
With Henry Slade the 13, it is unlikely that England will look to include an extra ball-player in midfield, meaning that both Joe Marchant and Will Joseph seem unlikely replacements for Seb Atkinson.
It is likely that Borthwick will lean on Northampton Saints captain Fraser Dingwall in the 12 shirt this weekend, with the 27-year-old having already played a significant amount of rugby for England in recent seasons.
That being said, a match against a struggling Japan side could be an opportunity for Borthwick to experiment, with "hybrid" players like Ben Earl and Henry Pollock also in contention to start in the backline.
However, despite Pollock deputising out wide in Saturday's win, it is extremely unlikely that he will cover in that position from the off this weekend.
England have an embarrassment of riches out wide in the current squad - and in those left out of the squad altogether - making this a difficult choice for Borthwick.
Feyi-Waboso is a unique profile in the current England squad, with his immense pace, physicality and athleticism unmatched by any of Borthwick's current options.
The pairing of Will Joseph and Joe Marchant can again cover this position, but Harlequins captain Cadan Murley is the most natural replacement, as the only other player in the squad who is predominantly a winger.
