Josh Hodge has the talent to be an all-around England defender. Photo: Shutterstock/Simon King
That was his age profile. and promise that England's 2019 class should have been primed for an exciting World Cup cycle during which the team would go from strength to strength. As it turns out, the next four years will be much more turbulent.
Steve Borthwick's original 33-man squad included 11 players aged 25 or under: Bevan Rodd, Theo Dan, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Tom Curry, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Arundell and Freddie Steward . This represents a solid foundation, especially in the bottom five. Only one of them, Arundell, made it into the top 14. He will still be eligible for the Six Nations and could return to Bath or Gloucester soon enough.
As he demonstrated during his time at Leicester Tigers and has subsequently strengthened over the last three months, Borthwick values know-how and will not hesitate to select veterans who are still up to the task in their 30s. The experience of Aled Walters, his deputy in charge of air conditioning, seems to be a major help in this regard.
That means the other 2023 mainstays will remain in the England squad, with Borthwick aiming for gradual improvement rather than radical changes. major repairs. Despite this, we can expect some new faces in the coming months.
Joe Hayes
Age: 24
Club: Leicester Tigers
Position:Heavy support
The scrum is a logical place to start given how Saturday's second half against South Africa unfolded. Weakness from set-pieces contributed to, or at least seriously hindered, England's two successive World Cup defeats. A repeat in 2027 would be unthinkable and rugby union age camps must accelerate and coordinate the development of props, hookers and locks across the country.
At just 24 years old, Hayes has already logged a lot of miles. He appeared for the Leicester first team more than 125 times and made seven England caps. When Kyle Sinclair suffered a chest injury during pre-season training for the World Cup, Borthwick brought him into the reserves. Hayes made highlight cameos during the 2022 tour of Australia and should continue to milk Dan Cole for Tigers knowledge.
Ehren Paynter, hoping to revive his young career at Exeter Chiefs, is another tight end to keep an eye on. Sale Sharks' James Harper has a following, and Alofabi Fasogbon has a following in the future, and Will Stewart will definitely have to step up too. On the other side of the front row, will Val Rapava-Raskin take another look? Harlequins' Fin Baxter is Joe Marler's 21-year-old protege.
Joe Hayes has already been capped seven times for England. : Getty Images/Graham Chadwick Tom Roebuck
Age: 22
Club: Sale Sharks
Position: Forward
Kadan Murli spent a lot of time on the court over the summer and is obviously highly respected. Adam Radwan continues to score amazing goals. At the other end of the experience scale, the hope is that Anthony Watson will agree terms at Leicester to keep him in contention for England once his calf injury has healed. Johnny May admitted that the current World Cup will be his farewell to England.
Ollie Hassell-Collins fell out of favor after a couple of caps in Borthwick's first two caps as England manager, but Roebuck is another tough, athletic striker of a similar type. Given that he was born in Inverness, England may have to act quickly to tie him down.
A well-balanced runner and skilled striker, Roebuck will improve in areas such as backfield positioning and high ball security. while continuing to train with George Ford. He has already scored two tries in two games this Premier League campaign and is certainly on Borthwick's radar.
Tom Pearson
Age:23
Club:>Northampton Saints
Position:Back Row
Courtney Lawes signed as an international in some style after a fantastic World Cup campaign , punctuated by skillful, smart and tough performances. He will leave a big hole for England, mainly due to his importance to the lineout as a diving blindside flanker. With another year at Northampton, Lawes could play an influential role in Pearson's improvement.
Borthwick believes the former London Irish full-back has potential as a forward lineman as he has already shown an eagerness to learn by becoming an even bigger threat as a jackal at the suggestion of Eddie Jones. The Saints will also provide plenty of carry opportunities for Pearson. The England back row will be as competitive as ever.
Ben Earl was another World Cup hit, and Tom Curry wasn't going anywhere. Sam Underhill returned to action after Jack Willis's injury, and Lewis Ludlam did not let anyone down. Ted Hill and Jack Cunningham are two more blindside flankers, with the former particularly leaping in the lineout.
Tom Willis, Zach Mercer and Alex Dombrandt will be looking to impress as specialist No.8s, with Alfie Barbery now in contention for Bath. Chandler Cunningham-South, another player with lineout potential, plays with Dombrandt at Harlequins. The prospects of these final four players may determine what combination Borthwick puts together, but Pearson can keep Earl at the heart of the scrum. He was surpassed by the brilliant Jack Morgan in August and was at one point pushed back by the Wales captain, but it's safe to say Pearson won't remain a one-game wonder.
Tom Pearson could take the place of the retiring Courtney Lawes Photo: Getty Images/Graham Chadwick Seb Atkinson
Age:21< br /> Club: Gloucester
Position:Inside the center
Joe Marchand will remain in Paris after his magnificent World Cup to sign a three-year contract with Stade Français. He could well return to Test competition in 2026 as an even better player thanks to this experience. Before that, Borthwick will have to sort out a midfield without the former Harlequin. Those featured will include Ollie Lawrence, who competed at this tournament, and Will Joseph, who took part in the first training camp.
There is a question mark inside the center because England will have to expand their options. Dan Kelly, who had to start Borthwick's first Six Nations campaign earlier this year due to a thigh injury, and Atkinson, who arrived at Kingsholm as Worcester Warriors lost and quickly enjoyed a fine season, make up the pair versatile midfielders. The latter has a handy mentor at Gloucester in Mark Atkinson, who is 12 years his senior and has been a quality baller for many years.
In the past, playing time in the Premier League has been hard to come by for certified centers in England. Borthwick predicted a new generation would emerge, the bigger member of which would be Saracens' Ollie Hartley, another 21-year-old who faced adversity as a former Wasp player.
Ben Spencer
Age: 31
Club: Bath
Position: Scrum Midfielder
< p>Yes, there are younger alternatives in the scrum-half. Harry Randall, still 25, was reborn for the Bristol Bears last season and started both of their victories, kicking off the new Premier League calendar. Will Porter, who settled in the Harlequins club, attracted attention.
However, control and kicking are some of Borthwick's most coveted qualities in the position. Alex Mitchell's performance against South Africa in the semi-final exuded composure. His defense, which included a superb tackle from Kurt-Lee Arendse, was another aspect that showed real progress.
Gus Warr is Sale's conductor, who also boasts the effervescent Raffy Quirke. Jack van Poortvliet obviously has Borthwick's confidence, but Spencer's age cannot count against him given that Danny Care and Ben Youngs are both in this World Cup. Ruaridh McConnochie's assist against his old club Saracens headlined another good performance on Saturday, followed by a hat-trick against Newcastle Falcons in the first round. Borthwick is Spencer's former teammate and isn't afraid to return to the future.
Ben Spencer scores a hat-trick against Newcastle ” at the start of the season Photo: Getty Images/Bob Bradford Josh Hodge
Age: 23
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Position: Defender
The transformation of Smith, who started in the World Cup quarter-final against Fiji, demonstrated how the England defender's identity would be tied to a specific tactical plan for any given game. Freddie Steward returned for the semi-final and was confident in the aerial exchanges; exactly what Borthwick will rely on in wet conditions. This flexibility will be important as there are many candidates for the fullback position.
Henry Arundell is likely to play there for Racing 92, while Stuart Lancaster has inspired Hugo Keenan to the next level at Leinster. Max Malins will also travel to Bristol Bears to don the No. 15 jersey. Although Hodge dislocated his elbow against Harlequins on Sunday, the former Newcastle Falcon, another Eddie Jones apprentice back in 2020, is sure to pose a challenge in preparation for 2027.
Tall though not so tall. As a steward, he is quick, outflanking defenses and shrugging off tacklers with deceptive strength. As an age-group star, Hodge made attempts that were typical of video games and maintained the habit. Now that Stuart Hogg has retired, he has a golden opportunity to secure a permanent place at Exeter and he made the perfect start to his mission with a stunning hat-trick against Saracens.
Bortwick will continue to adapt to new conditions. compositions for different occasions. Hodge has the talent to be a full-back for England in any situation.
Which players do you think Steve Borthwick should bring into the England squad? Join the conversation in the comments section below.
Recent Comments