Steve Borthwick has named his team for the Rugby World Cup in France. Photo: Custom image
England lost six out of nine Tests. this year, including their first defeat to Fiji last month in the final game before the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Their run has been exacerbated by disciplinary problems, leaving England without midfielder and captain Owen Farrell, who received a four-match ban, and number 8 ball carrier Billy Vunipola, who was suspended for three games, due to a high tackle against Ireland
Untimely injuries to Anthony Watson and Jack van Poortvliet depleted Steve Borthwick's options and forced him into a late call-up and change of plans.
The squad to play Argentina was announced on Thursday, with Mitchell and May named in the starting line-up.
Here's my verdict on each member of the France traveling party
Forwards Joe Marler (Harlequins )Free propEnglish caps: 82
Glad he changed his mind. I'm not sure he needs guarantees. The player-coach relationship is clearly important here. However, Joe is England's most impressive oaf. He is a mountain of a man and can play.
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)Free propEngland caps: 52
Ellis would certainly be close to a full-time captain. Eddie Jones has moved him into a de facto full-back position and Steve wants him to have as much possession, dribble and roar as possible. This is a big world championship for him. Will he be able to prove himself on the international stage? Domestically he runs it.
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)England Loose Caps: 3
We're from the same boarding house and school, so maybe take my admiration with a grain of salt. But his breaking work is superb and he makes up for it with the way he gives away pounds to the other front rowers.
Jamie George (Saracens)Hooker England caps: 79
In 2003 we were called 'Dad's Army'. great experience. England is going to create a real Praetorian Guard with the most disgusting and rude mongrels it can find. George is the center of attention.
Theo Dan (Saracens)HookerEngland caps: 3
A real bolter. In 2003 we were much more balanced and confident. This time it was different and the difficulty is that great results at club level don't always translate. I think it's too damn risky to take him with me. On the other hand, Jonah Lomu was eliminated from the Hong Kong Sevens tournament and performed normally.
Jack Walker (Harlequins)HookerEngland caps: 4
They were delighted with Walker at Harlequins but were not trusted to get more than five minutes in the Six Nations. George played 75 minutes on teams that were struggling. What does this say about the mindset of the coaching team? I'm not sure he'll get much playing time, but you need cover at one of the most important positions on the field. You can't win in the lineout and you lose. Simple.
Will Stewart (Bath Rugby) Tighthead propEngland caps: 29
Although I sometimes miss what happens to the dunces, Stewart has really developed as a rugby player. It's really mobile and has changed my opinion of it.
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)Tighthead propEngland caps: 102
Was Jason Leonard a second choice in 2003? He came off the bench and changed Andre Watson's mind. As for Cole, he has a lot in his kitty and Borthwick is the rock on which Leicester have built their title. What an opportunity, four years after 2019, to show that he is still here.
Could Dan Cole (left) be the answer to Jason Leonard in 2023? Photo: Getty Images/David Rogers Kyle Sinclair (Bristol Bears)Tighthead PropellerEnglish Caps: 63
It may be more of a flipper than many thought because Stewart could be first choice. I don't think Sinclair's move from Harlequins to Bristol quite worked out and he could have benefited from an extra two spots in the squad.
David Ribbans (Toulon)LockEngland cap: 8
In great lock combinations, one of them is a ram. Even in this hybrid world, I like a 250-pound second row that smashes things and can make plays. Remember that relief match against New Zealand?
Maro Itoje (Saracens)LockEngland cap: 70
There was a time when Itoje was a World Cup XV player. It feels like many of the players' reputations were damaged during England's decline under Eddie. He needs an impressive World Cup to confirm his legacy.
Can a World Cup campaign bring out the best in Maro Itoje? Photo: Getty Images/Warren Little Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)Lock/flankerEngland caps: 11
Another from the Tiger army. In football, managers who find themselves in difficult situations go to the transfer market and choose old favorites. Chessum is mobile and makes attempts. If there are older guys in the front row he balances things out… And reminds me a bit of Shannon Frisell.
George Martin (Leicester Tigers)Block/FlankerEngland caps: 3
I'm a big George Martin fan. Eddie Jones gave him a cap out of nowhere in 2021 and then it was «thanks, but that's not necessary.» If I'm in the back, give me three or four George Martins in the deck. We'll get a decent ball because they're all knocking on people.
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Flanker/Block England caps: 100
He became so good—so good. He is arguably England's most improved player over the last decade and now one of their most influential. He'll be there for the big moments.
Ben Earl (Saracens)Back rowEngland caps: 18
If he misses this, I'll try to get him an IPL contract because he's a great cricketer. I like him a lot, but I don't think he'll be satisfied with a twenty on his back. It will be difficult to break into the back row of the front line, but he is bloody competitive.
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)Back Row England: 21
One of England's best Six Nations players; shows commitment, mongrel, get up and go. It is impossible to understand the influence of a player within the camp, but it is clearly enormous. He makes a lot of tackles and knows how to play systems.
Jack Willis (Toulouse) England back row: 13
Despite everything people say about cycles, you can play a game with the two Willis brothers and Pearson and say, «Why do you need a three-year buildup.» I've seen him make triple tackle attempts and win jackal passes. What a magical achievement and with Toulouse.
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)Top row: 45 caps for England.
Among the first names you would write down. He can play on the back line and has experience from 2019. He has also added something to his game by working on his handling.
Billy Vunipola (Saracens) England No. 8: 70
This is a real show of faith. He's been out in the cold and doesn't know whether he'll come or go, but his shoulders are broad enough. If he is in good shape, I always choose him. Looked up to the best in the world and got the better of them.
Rugby World Cup Promotion DefendersAlex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)Scrum-halfEngland caps: 5
The sport is cruel. Remember Dan Carter in 2011? Last minute injuries are devastating and will continue to rob young athletes of the opportunity to compete on the world stage. But as the door closes on Jack van Poortvliet being ruled out through injury, the door opens and I think Alex Mitchell is the best scrum-half in England. He has pace, speed and ambition. Whether he's allowed to play like Alex Mitchell is another question, but I hope so. If this guy sees him coming off his own try line, he won't hang around.
Danny Care (Harlequins)England scrum-half: 90
Lazarus. He played well for Harlequins in the wilderness and is now back. His short kick game is the sharpest and Care is known for his ability to find space.
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)England scrum-half: 124
He's preparing for his fourth World Cup. Knowing Borthwick's template well isn't the only thing that will help him get into the lineup. He will calm others down. Sometimes it's not just about rugby.
Owen Farrell (Saracens)England midfielder/centre: 107
Just a rock star; participant, winner, champion, goalkeeper under pressure. It seems like he needs to keep proving himself, which surprises me. But I think he'll have to play 10.
Owen Farrell will be looking to prove his critics wrong once again. Photo: PA/Jordan Pettitt George Ford (Sale Sharks) England midfielder: 85
The main player of Leicester under the leadership of Borthwick, who received an unfortunate injury. He might have thought his run was over because Jones appeared to have raised the drawbridge. You remain patient in life, continue to put yourself in the starting line. His short passing game is probably the best of the three halves.
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)England fly midfielder: 24
I'd like to see him on the bench to make a difference. At some stage he will be worried about his place because his start against France went disastrously wrong. There will be some buzz about him becoming more prominent, but you feel he has what it takes to compete in the knockouts.
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks) Central England caps: 53
Another absolutely guaranteed selection despite being dropped early in the last Six Nations. Now will he be able to go on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday at the end of the tournament? Strap him in, get him out there. Another concert. Just like Rocky IV.
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)England center: 14
He had a big Six Nations in a simple role which can help players stand out. Six months ago it wasn't an option. Rugby is changing and it is not changing. One of your centers has to run over brick walls, and Lawrence has shown he can do it.
Joe Marchand (Stade Française)Centre/WingEngland caps: 19
Sometimes you wonder why players don't get as much love . Is he right behind Daley? I remember his outing against South Africa in 2021; he's as good at running corners as you can get, a great defender and tough. In the hierarchy he is probably somewhere between 23 and 33.
Elliot Daly (Saracens) England centre/forward/back: 59
It was his breakthrough over Richie Mo'unga in 2019 that set the tone for that semi-final and he looked back on his best performances last season before making the hammy . Despite everything he has been through, he will be happy to attend the tournament and could play an important role in the tournament.
Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly and Manu Tuilagi at the presentation of the 2019 FIFA World Cup kit in England. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan Max Malins (Bristol Bears)Forward/Defender: 21 England caps: 21
Really enjoyed finishing the season, even after missing the Six Nations final. Will was tasked with changing the perception of the luxury gamer. He will turn a 20 point win into a 40 point win. Can he play an important role in a nine-character thriller? Look at Will Jordan. He and Beauden Barrett have 10 points each. How did Malins become as strong as he was?
Henry Arundell (Racing 92)England striker/defender: 8
For a kid with just seven caps, that's a lot of noise. Wonderful tries against Toulon and Australia will do that. Every time I go on Instagram, he does squats. He will prove that he can play in the system. An individual in a system is normal. An individual who can't play in one has to struggle.
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers) England defender: 26
Already as authoritative as Peter Schmeichel; can he now become a ball player like Ederson? He is worth his weight in gold due to his dominance in the air. Wigglesworth needs to get a hold of him and hone those skills because Hugo Keenan and Thomas Ramos, for example, can offer more with more ball in hand.
Johnny May (Gloucester Rugby) For England: 73
All those tries , that ability to get to the line got him there after Anthony Watson's injury. Simply put, he found a way to defeat everyone on the planet.
Свежие комментарии