Sam Underhill (center) earned his last cap for England against Australia last year. Photo: Getty Images/Bradley Kanaris
Sam Underhill pulled out of the England training squad ahead of the World Cup, while Steve Borthwick chose to ignore one of the team's key players for the 2019 tournament.
Underhill and Bevan Rodd, Sale's mainstays The Sharks were eliminated after last week's preparations when a group of 44 gathered at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot.
The absence of Underhill, who won his last of 29 matches in the July 2022 series against Australia, is a sign of fierce competition in the back row within the Borthwick side.
Just two weeks ago, the England boss The manager praised Underhill's efforts and suggested that it is approaching the exceptional form of four years ago. In Japan, in tandem with Tom Curry, the winger from Bath was outstanding as England reached the final.
“He had a difficult period due to injuries in the second half of the season,” said Borthwick of Underhill, who was constantly present at the first stage of England's preparation for the World Cup.
“But when I watched him train — and we practiced on the same pitch in 2019 — and chatted with Richard Hill, an incredible rugby expert, and we thought it was Sam 2019. He was amazing.”
There are plenty of options for Borthwick in the back row. Jack Willis, Tom Curry and Ben Earl are all pro wingers on the team, and Tom Pearson has also excelled in this role for the London Irish over the past two years.
Courtney Lowes and Lewis Ludlum are likely to be considered blind wingers, while George Martin and Ollie Chessum could come back from blocking to the backline.
Alex Dombrandt and Tom Willis are potential eights, while Billy Vunipola is one of the five designated rehab players along with his brother Mako. , Jack Walker, Chessum and Ollie Lawrence.
Rodd's return to the Sale leaves Vice-Captain Ellis Jenge, veteran Joe Marler and a naked Val Rapawa-Raskin, along with Mako Vunipola, as candidates for the libertine.
While Rodd enjoyed his scoring cameo against the Saracens in the Premier League final at Twickenham, his departure hints at the burden Borthwick will place on pre-World Cup contention. The rear division of 18 players plus Lawrence has not changed.
Bortwick will downsize and have to announce the final 33 players at the tournament on 7 August, two days after his team played Wales in the first of four warm-up matches.
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