Matt Rogerson has become a surprise contender for a place in the England training team for the World Cup.

Matt Rogerson could potentially offer Steve Borthwick cover on the flanker and number eight. Credit: Getty Images/Alex Davidson

Matt Rogerson, captain of the London Irish team, is a surprise contender for England's World Cup spot.

Telegraph Sport understands the 29-year-old capless, versatile rower behind, able to cover a flanking flanker and number eight, in an extended list of about 70 contenders that Steve Borthwick has contacted in recent weeks.

Bortwick's extended list is believed to include other unrestricted players such as Theo Dan, a Saracen prostitute, and Tom Pearson, Rogerson. clubmate.

England training starts at Pennyhill Park on 12 June, but players from the Premier League semi-finalists or those working for French clubs such as Zach Mercer and the Willis brothers will not be able to host until late summer.

This weekend's play-off losers from the Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers will join the camp on June 19. However, due to a mandatory five-week vacation, Saracen and Sale Shark players will not be admitted until July 2.

Half Scrum is another area that will need to be covered in early summer, given that neither Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs, nor Alex Mitchell will be available until June 12th, and Raffi Quirk won't be able to join until July. This could open doors for Danny Car and Ben Spencer. The latter, one of Bath's most influential players this season, has not won a match since the 2019 World Cup final.

Rogerson's recognition comes amid fierce competition for back row spots, but it's just a reward for his consistency. Born in Lancaster, he signed his first professional contract with the Sale Sharks before joining the Jersey Reds in 2017.

He joined the Irish a year later and has become an integral part of the dynamic back row. He appeared in 15 premier league games for the Exiles this season, his second time as club captain, and started 14 of them.

Bortwick is known to love resourceful, hard-working back rowers and Rogerson's inoculation, an able jumper from the lineout, who scored from close range against the Saracens last month, was the key to an impressive season for the Irish. According to Opta, he averaged just over 14 tackles per 80 minutes with a 94% completion rate. Only four strikers who have played 900 minutes in the Premier League — Jono Ross, Tommy Reffell, Pearson and George Martin — have recorded more tackles in 80 minutes.

With back-row candidates like Lewis Ludlum, Courtney Lawes , Martin, Ben Earl, Nick Izikwe and the Curry brothers are out of the England squad, while Rogerson and Pearson are ready to make a name for themselves.