"Shockwaves" - England squad 'shocked' after latest star dropped from squad
Rugby NewsTuesday, 25 July 2023 at 19:21
Ben Earl has revealed that Sam Underhill being dropped has shocked the England camp with the Sarries back-rower hoping his speed can help earn him a World Cup place.
“It’s phenomenal,” Earl said. “I guess not many nations will have the competition we have in terms of experience. In 2019, Sam Underhill was probably one of the players of the tournament.
“That just goes to show how competitive it is. Sam trained brilliantly and it was a shock to us all that he was no longer involved. That really struck home with us.”
Unlike the previous era under Eddie Jones, Borthwick has discarded any selection ambiguity and is consistently engaging with his players in preparation for the upcoming tournament in France.
As he faces the challenge of narrowing down his wider training squad to 33 players, Borthwick has been vocal an
England then kick-off their Rugby World Cup in Marseille, in a hotly anticipated clash against Argentina on the 9th of September. Here are RUCK's predictions for the positional hierarchy, for England's Rugby World Cup squad pecking order.
FIRST CHOICE SQUAD
Front Row
Ellis Genge of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 26 Jun 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
Locks
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5. Ollie Chessum* (Leicester Tigers)
Back Row
Try Celebrations for Jack Willis of England as he goes over for a try during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Halfbacks
A dejected Owen Farrell of England applauds in the direction of the England supporters at full-time following the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Centres
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
13. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
Back Three
Freddie Steward of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)
14. Max Malins (Saracens)
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
SECOND CHOICE SQUAD
Front Row
16. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
17. Jack Walker* (Harlequins)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Locks
Courtney Lawes of England during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium, London on 24 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
19. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks)
20. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Back Row
Try celebrations for Tom Pearson of London Irish as he dives over to score during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Harlequins at The Gtech Community Stadium, London on 29 January 2023 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
21. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
22. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints)
23. Tom Willis (Saracens)
Halfbacks
Marcus Smith of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
24. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
25. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Centres
A frustrated Ollie Lawrence of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
26. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)
27. Ollie Lawrence* (Bath Rugby)
Back Three
Cadan Murley of Harlequins goes over for a Try during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Newcastle Falcons at Twickenham Stoop, London on the 4th March 2022 - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
28. Jonny May (Gloucester)
29. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)
30. Elliot Daly (Saracens)
ADDITIONAL 2023 RWC SQUAD MEMBERS
George Ford of Sale Sharks looks dejected after conceding a penalty try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stadium on 27 May 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
31. George Ford (Sale Sharks)
32. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
33. Danny Care (Harlequins)
PLAYERS TO MISS OUT ON 33-MAN SQUAD
34. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
35. Theo Dan (Saracens)
36. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
38. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
39. George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
40. Ben Earl (Saracens)
41. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
42. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
43. Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
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