BREAKING: Steve Borthwick confirms Danny Care and Marcus Smith in his World Cup squad

The squad announcement is scheduled for Monday, and Borthwick revealed that he plans to bring three scrum-halves and three fly-halves to France for the tournament.

"Most of the 33 are pretty clear. There are obviously one or two places written in pencil which need to be written in pen," Borthwick told BBC Sport.

With World Rugby increasing the squad size for the 2023 tournament, Borthwick says all six are all likely to travel.

"I think it is pretty clear given I have kept three scrum-halves and three fly-halves within the camp," he said, meaning Danny Care and Marcus Smith will begin the final squad.

The head coach emphasised the immense value of position flexibility, placing a priority on players who can perform effectively in multiple roles.

"There is a need to be able to adapt," he added. "We are going to have to do that during this tournament and we have kept our squad quite tight between each of our camps in terms of the number of players we have had in camp.

"I am really aware that there is going to be a need for the players outside the 33 that will be named on Monday to be ready to be the next man in.

"What I see with this squad now is that they have built togetherness and conditioning and a role clarity that anyone can slot into the 33."

Below are the names of four players who have indicated their potential retirement from test rugby following the tournament.

In November 2014, Jonny made a remarkable impact on the international stage when he scored his first-ever Test try against New Zealand. His incredible long-range run showcased his speed, flair, footwork, and agility.

Unfortunately, he faced an injury that prevented him from participating in the subsequent Six Nations and the Australian tour in June 2016. However, after a 13-month absence, he made a triumphant return, scoring a try against South Africa at Twickenham that November.

During the 2018 Six Nations, Jonny displayed his prowess by crossing the try line four times, including two crucial tries in the victory over Wales. His exceptional performances caught the eye of Eddie Jones, earning him a spot in the summer tour to South Africa.

In the three-Test series against the Springboks, Jonny emerged as the standout performer, finishing as the top scorer with three tries, including the match-winning score in Cape Town.

Continuing his impressive form, Jonny carried his momentum into the 2019 Six Nations, where he secured the title of top try scorer by crossing the line six times. On his 50th cap and on the road to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, he once again proved his worth by scoring two tries against Australia in the quarter-final.

In November 2010, Ben Youngs, in only his second Twickenham start, delivered a virtuoso performance, earning him the Investec Man of the Match award as England dominated Australia with a score of 35-18.

Fast forward six years to a similar fixture, where Youngs once again showcased his brilliance, claiming the Old Mutual Wealth Man of the Match award in England's triumphant 37-21 victory.

His talent and consistency were evident as he featured in every match during the 2013 Six Nations. In November 2014, he reached the milestone of 40 caps against South Africa at Twickenham, and later earned his 50th cap against Fiji.

A testament to his longevity and skill, Youngs surpassed Matt Dawson's record for England Test starts at scrum half in the opening match of the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations, where he played against Italy in Rome.

His contributions to the team led him to be part of the starting lineup in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa. Throughout his career, he has amassed the most-capped appearances for England Men's international rugby, making him an iconic figure in the sport.

Looking ahead, Steve Borthwick included Youngs in his 36-player squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship, indicating that his remarkable journey in international rugby continues to captivate fans and inspire fellow players. To keep up with Ben Youngs, you can follow his journey in the world of rugby.

Since his debut in the victory over Wales at Twickenham in February 2010, Dan Cole has left an indelible mark on English rugby, missing only one of England's 41 Tests leading up to the 2013 summer.

His exceptional performances earned him a place in the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad, where he played off the bench in all three Tests. Subsequently, he also represented the Lions in five matches during the 2017 tour to New Zealand, although he didn't feature in a Test match.

Over the years, Cole's presence in the England squad has been consistent and influential. He made his first Test start against Italy in 2010 and proved his worth by starting in all five games of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as well as in the 2012 and 2013 Six Nations campaigns.

Reaching the 50-cap milestone during the 55-35 victory over France in March 2015, Dan Cole solidified his place as England's second most capped prop, only behind the legendary Jason Leonard (114 caps).

His journey continued, and he played a crucial role in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, representing England in the final. Clearly, Cole's talent and reliability have earned him a spot in Steve Borthwick's squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, further underlining his significance in the world of rugby.

Joe Marler, the esteemed loose-head prop, is renowned for his reliability and prowess in the front-row. Despite retiring from international rugby, he made a momentous return to the England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

His journey in the England setup began when he earned his first three senior caps against South Africa during the 2012 summer tour. Prior to that, he had already represented England at the U18 and U20 levels, showcasing his talent from an early age.

By March 2016, when he reached his 42nd international appearance against France, Marler had remarkably missed only four matches since his debut, contributing significantly to England's Grand Slam victory. Although he withdrew from the following summer tour of Australia and took a break from the game, he returned to lead England out for his 50th cap in a remarkable triumph over Scotland in March 2017.

Later that year, he was a pivotal member of the British & Irish Lions squad during their tour of New Zealand, making regular appearances in their midweek games.

In September 2018, Joe Marler decided to retire from international rugby to prioritize spending more time with his family. However, his passion for the game and his commitment to representing England led him to reverse this decision, culminating in his return to the England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. His dedication and skills make him an invaluable asset in the world of rugby.