Steve Borthwick has announced his squad for the Rugby World Cup in France. Credit: Custom Image
England's selection for the Rugby World Cup has been severely derailed by injuries and suspensions. Steve Borthwick named his 33-man line-up on 7 August. But after this date:
- Owen Farrell received a four-match ban — ruling out the first two World Cup games — for tackling the ball during a warm-up match against Wales;
- Jack van Portvliet was ruled out due to injury and replaced by Alex Mitchell;
- Billy Vunipola has been suspended three games for a similarly violent tackle against Ireland, but may attend 'tackle school' to reduce the suspension, meaning he will only miss England's first leg of the tournament;
- Anthony Watson has been ruled out due to injury and replaced by Johnny May.
- Kyle Sinclair is in the race for a tournament opportunity due to a chest injury.
Here's my verdict on each member of the France Traveling Group
Forwards Joe Marler (Harlequins)Free propEnglish caps: 82
Glad he changed his mind. Not sure if he needs guarantees. The relationship between player and coach is clearly important here. However, Joe is England's most imposing blockhead. He is a mountain man and knows how to play.
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)Free supportEnglish caps: 52
Ellis would certainly be close to a full-time captain. Eddie Jones moved him to the de facto cornerback position and Steve wants him to have as much possession, dribble and growl as possible. It's a big world championship for him. Will he be able to prove himself in the international arena? Domestically, he runs it.
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)Loose caps from England: 3
We are from the same boarding house and the same school, so perhaps take my admiration with a grain of salt. But his pitching work is great and he makes up for the way he gives pounds to the other front line rowers.
Jamie George (Saracens)Hooker England caps: 79
In 2003 we were called «Daddy's Army». great experience. England is going to create a real praetorian guard with the most disgusting and rude mongrels it can pick up. George is in the spotlight.
Theo Dan (Saracens)HookerEngland for caps: 3
A real bolter. In 2003 we were much more balanced and confident. This time it was different, and the difficulty is that brilliant results at the club level do not always appear. I think it's risky as hell to take him with you. On the other hand, Jonah Lomu withdrew from the Hong Kong Sevens tournament and performed well.
Jack Walker (Harlequins)HookerEngland cap: 4
They are enamored with Walker on Harlequins, but he was not trusted to get more than five minutes on Six Nations. George played 75 minutes on teams that were failing. What does this say about the mindset of the coaching team? I'm not sure if he gets a lot of playing time, but you need cover in one of the most important positions on the pitch. You cannot win in the middle and you lose. Simple.
Will Stewart (Bath Rugby) Tighthead propEnglish caps: 29
While I sometimes miss what happens to the dumb ones, Stewart has really evolved as a rugby player. It's really mobile and has changed my mind about it.
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Tighthead propEnglish caps: 102
Was Jason Leonard a minor choice in 2003? He came off the bench and changed Andre Watson's mind. As for Cole, he has a lot of money in his account and Borthwick is the rock on which Leicester have built their title. What an opportunity, four years after 2019, to show he's still here.
Could Dan Cole (left) be the answer to Jason Leonard in 2023? Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers Kyle Sinclair (Bristol Bears) Teaghead propeller English caps: 63 Perhaps more flippant than many thought, because Stewart could be the first choice. I don't think Sinclair's move from the Harlequins to Bristol worked out well and he could benefit from the extra two spots in the squad.
David Ribbans (Toulon)LockEngland international: 8
In great lock combinations, one of them is a battering ram. Even in this hybrid world, I love the 120kg second row, which breaks things down and knows how to play. Remember that unloading match against New Zealand?
Maro Itohe (Saracens)LockEngland International: 70
There was a time when Itohe was a World Cup XV player. It seems that during the decline of England under Eddie, the reputation of many players was undermined. He needs an impressive world championship to live up to his legacy.
Can the World Cup campaign bring out the best in Maro Itoiya? Photo: Getty Images/Warren Little Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)Lock/FlankerEngland caps: 11
Another one from the Tiger army. In football, managers who find themselves in difficult situations enter the transfer market and pick old favourites. Chessum is mobile and makes attempts. If there are older guys in the front row, he balances the situation … And he reminds me a little of Shannon Frisell.
George Martin (Leicester Tigers)Block/flankerEngland caps: 3
I'm a big fan of George Martin. Eddie Jones gave him a cap out of nowhere in 2021 and then it was «thank you, but it'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 hitting people.
Courtney Lowes (Northampton Saints)Flanker/Block England caps: 100
He became so good – so good. Over the past decade, he has arguably become England's most advanced player and now one of the most influential. He'll be there for 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 really like him, but I don't think he'll be satisfied with a 20 on his back. It will be difficult to break into the back row in the front line, but he is damn competitive.
Lewis Ludlum (Northampton Saints)Back row England: 21
One of the best players in England among the six nations; demonstrates commitment, mongrel, get up and go. It is impossible to understand the influence of the player inside the camp, but it is obviously huge. He scores a lot of tackles and knows how to play systems.
Jack Willis (Toulouse) Back row for England: 13
Despite everything people say about cycles, you can play the game with the two brothers Willis and Pearson and say, «Why do you need a three-year build-up.» I saw him make triple tackle attempts and win jackal passes. What a magical achievement with Toulouse.
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)Top row: 45 caps for England.
Among the first names you would list. He can play on the back line and has experience since 2019. He also added something to his game by working on his game.
Billy Vunipola (Saracens) No. 8 for England: 70
This is a real show of faith. He was in the cold and does not know if he will come or go, but he has rather broad shoulders. If he is in good shape, I always choose him. Looked at the best in the world and got the better of them.
Rugby World Cup promotion defendersAlex Mitchell (Northampton Saints) Scrum halfbackEngland caps: 5
Sports are cruel. Remember Dan Carter in 2011? Last minute injuries are horrendous and will continue to deprive young athletes of the opportunity to compete on the world stage. But when the door closes on Jack van Portvliet, who has been ruled out with an injury, the door opens and I think Alex Mitchell is the best scrum half in England. He has pace, swiftness and ambition. Whether he's allowed to play like Alex Mitchell is another matter, but I hope he is. If this guy sees him leaving his own trial line, he won't be loitering around.
Danny Kare (Harlequins) England midfielder: 90
Lazarus. In the wilderness, he played well for the Harlequins, and now he is back. His short shots are the sharpest and Carere is known for finding space.
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) England scrum half: 124
He's on his way to his fourth World Cup. A good knowledge of the Borthwick template is not the only thing that will help him get into the squad. He will comfort others. 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 looks like he has to keep proving himself right, which surprises me. But I think he'll have to play 10.
Owen Farrell will try to prove his critics wrong once again. Photo: Pennsylvania/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 race was over because Jones appeared to have raised the drawbridge. You remain patient in life, continue to put yourself on the start. His short passing game is probably the best of the three halves.
Marcus Smith (The Harlequins) England fly-time: 24
I would like him to stay on the bench to do something change. At some stage, he will worry about his place, because his start against France went disastrously wrong. There will be noisy talk about him becoming more visible, but you feel like he has what it takes to be in the knockouts.
Manu Tuilagi (Sail Sharks) Center of England for caps: 53
Another absolutely guaranteed choice despite being eliminated at the start of the last six nations. Now can he come out on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday at the end of the tournament? Buckle it up, get it out there. Another concert. Just like Rocky IV.
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)England center: 14
He had the big Six Nations in a simple role that can help players stand out. Six months ago, it was not considered an option. Rugby is changing and it is not changing. One of your centers has to climb brick walls and Lawrence has shown he can do it.
Joe Marchand (Stade Francaise)Center/WingEngland for international: 19
Sometimes you wonder why players don't get so much love . Is he right behind Daley? I remember his relegation against South Africa in 2021; he is as good at running into corners as possible, a great defender and stamina. In the hierarchy, he is probably somewhere between 23 and 33.
Elliot Daley (Saracens) England centre/forward/defender: 59
It was his 2019 break over Richie Mounga that set the tone for that semi-final and he looked back on his best performances last season before hitting the hammy . Despite everything he's been through, he will be happy to be in the tournament and can play an important role in the tournament.
Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly and Manu Tuilagi at the 2019 FIFA World Cup kit presentation in England. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan Max Malins (Bristol Bears) Forward/Defender: 21 caps for England: 21
Enjoyed the end of the season a lot, even after missing the Six Nations final. Will was challenged to change the perception of the luxury player. He will turn a 20-point victory into a 40-point victory. Could he play an important role in a nine-character thriller? Look at Will Jordan. He and Boden Barrett each have 10 points. How did Malins get so strong?
Henry Arundell (Racing 92) England forward/defender: 8
It's a lot of noise for a kid with only seven caps. Miraculous attempts against Toulon and Australia will do it. Every time I go to Instagram, he does squats. He will prove that he can play in the system. An individual in the system is normal. The individual who can't play in one has to struggle.
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers) England defender: 26
Already as big as Peter Schmeichel; can he now become the same ball player as Ederson? He is worth his weight in gold due to air dominance. Wigglesworth needs to grab him and hone those skills because Hugo Keenan and Thomas Ramos, for example, offer more with more ball in hand.
Johnny May (Gloucester Rugby) For England: 73
All those tries , this ability to get to the line brought him there after Anthony Watson's injury. Simply put, he found a way to defeat everyone on the planet.
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