Ellis Genge (left to right), Jamie George and Will Stewart are due to fly to France this fall for the Rugby World Cup
Steve Borthwick will name his team of 33 players for the Rugby World Cup on 7 August, with 70 names on a long list of those who have been told to stay in shape.
Until then, though, there will be various training camps – both at home and abroad – as Borthwick tries to get his team in shape for the World Rugby Showcase in France this fall.
Over the next two weeks, Telegraph Sport will analyze the depth at the disposal of the England head coach in each position one block at a time, starting from the front row.
Loosehead
Ellis Jenge
Mako Vunipola< br />Bevan Rodd
Simon McIntyre
Beno Obano
Val Rapava Ruskin
Joe Marler
Alec Hepburn
Tom West
Harry Elrington
Ellis Jenge is undeniably at the top of the list of slackers. The Bristol Prop was Borthwick's lieutenant in Leicester's 2022 winning triumph and started every Six Nations match during which Mako Vunipola of the Saracens took a seat on the bench. However, under this duet, third place is firmly captured. Val Rapava Ruskin has been uprooting trees for Gloucester this season and Beno Obano has looked back at the best of Bath. Both Bevan Rodd and Simon McIntyre shone in Sale's final defeat in the Premier League, the former for his dynamism in the loose game and the latter for his consistency from set pieces. Tom West has had a good season at Leicester – although his involvement with the Barbarians suggests he is somewhat behind in the pecking order – and no player in English rugby has been as consistent as Joe Marler this season.
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Jamie George
Theo Dan
Luke Cowan-Dickey
Jamie Blamire
Harry Tucker
Dan Frost
Jack Singleton
George McGuigan
Tom Dunn
Jack Walker
Luke Cowan-Dickey will be in action if he recovers from his neck injury. Photo: Shutterstock/Matt Impey
An area of growing concern for Borthwick. Given the health issues associated with Luke Cowan-Dickey, it's safe to assume that Jamie George, despite not being at his best, is a convenient first choice – both for his metronomic throw and everything else. Cowan-Dickey, if he recovers from his neck injury, is sure to be in action, while Theo Dan, George's understudy in the Saracens, has proven himself to be a powerful ball handler. Nick Dolly was the third England international under Borthwick at Leicester but has only made two appearances this season since suffering a horrific knee injury in May 2022. season, but his training camp partner for that championship, Tom Dunn, finished well with Bath. Harry Tucker offers a point of difference, but like West, his involvement with Barbarians suggests he's off the camera.
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Kyle Sinclair
Dan Cole
Will Stewart
Joe Hayes
Will Collier
Trevor Davison
Nick Schonert
Paul Hill
Marcus Street
Harry Williams
In terms of the broader cast, the curmudgeon is one of the easiest areas for Borthwick. Kyle Sinclair and Dan Cole established themselves as the first choice duo, but that was in the absence of Will Stewart, who returned to form with a vengeance during Bath's end-of-season revival. Barring injuries or unforeseen circumstances, they will most certainly go to France. Joe Hayes, a Leicester defender who has improved significantly over the course of the season, will carry the trio to the end as fourth pick. The rest, despite their strengths, require many injuries.
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Charles Richardson World Cup Rowers: Ginge, Vunipola, Obano; Cowan-Dickey (Dunn if not suitable), George, Dan; Sinclair, Cole, Stuart.
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