"Most important player" - Lawrence Dallaglio's 5 England rugby stars to watch

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England are not among the favourites at the global showpiece event after a tough year so far under head coach Steve Borthwick.

Here are five England players to watch out for, described by legendary number 8 Lawrence Dallaglio for the Evening Standard.

He wrote: "England’s most important player, given Owen Farrell’s two-match ban. No shortage of footballing ability, his job will be to implement the gameplan to pick off both Argentina and Japan. A massive selection and Borthwick will be delighted he picked him, given how things have since panned out. Tactically astute and able to run a backline with coolness and calm."

He wrote: "He has made a fantastic recovery from a horrific ankle dislocation in March that cut short a very promising Six Nations for the big Leicester lock. One of England’s best performers during his 11 caps to date. Has won an incredible battle to get back into the squad and he will be one of England’s players to watch in this World Cup, without a doubt."

He wrote: "The powerful Saracens lock was genuinely world-class in his position at his very peak in 2019. Maro has not been able to reach those heights since, however. Such a big player for England: when he plays well, the rest of the team really receive an enormous boost. If he manages to have a good World Cup, then England will do better than people expect."

He wrote: "From one Wasp to another, I am filled with pride at Jack’s development and tenacity to come through what he has and to reach a World Cup with England. What a wonderful tournament this could be for the man who won the French Top 14 last season with Toulouse. Has experienced every emotion, going from terrible injury to full recovery, losing his job and thriving again."

He wrote: "The standout player in the Premiership season just gone, and England’s most consistent player in recent times. Ben was one of England’s best players during a difficult August series and one of the few players to extend his top form past the end of the club season. Normally an excellent operator at openside flanker, Ben can double up at No8 if needs must."