Six players who were tipped to start World Cup 2023 and what went wrong

Monday, 07 November 2022 at 10:53

byRugby Rucker

Attention is beginning to turn to next years 2023 Rugby World Cup, with England boss Eddie Jones already preparing for the tournament next autumn.

Following their loss in the 2019 final, a number of outlets attempted to predict how the men in white will line-up in France.

Most of the picks, in fairness, are pretty bang on. However, some players chances of being involved are looking slim to nothing.

#1. Joel Kpoku

Age: 23
Club: Lyon
Position: Lock
Current caps: 0

Rugby World: "The next star off the Saracens production line may be Kpoku, although the lock has been linked with a move to Northampton Saints due to the presence of Itoje, George Kruis and Nick Isiekwe at his current club. An incredibly hard-hitting carrier in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, a selection in the coming months would not be surprising."

Where is he now? The a one-time Eddie Jones call-up and an age-group team-mate of Marcus Smith is enjoying new lease of life in east France with Lyon.

Joel Kpoku of Saracens runs at Kieran Murphy of Ealing Trailfinders during the Greene King IPA Championship rugby match between Saracens and Ealing Trailfinders at The StoneX Stadium, Hendon, London on April 25 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK

#2. Stuart Townsend

Age: 27
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Position: Scrum-half
Current caps: 0

RUCK: "A lot of the English scrum-halves are ageing, meaning this is a direct choice between the Exeter Chiefs man and Ben Vellacott. However, his emergence as a premier playmaker in such a short space of time makes us think he will continue to get better, which will lead to him establishing himself in the England set-up."

Where is he now? Has been in and out of the Exeter side due to injury and will be ruled out until 2023 following his latest knock

Stuart Townsend of Exeter Chiefs during the Exeter Chiefs training session at Sandy Park on 6th April 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#3. Joe Simmonds

Age: 25
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Position: Fly-half
Current caps: 0

The Rugby Paper: "The 23-year-old Exeter fly-half has learned his trade next to Gareth Steenson, and has proved over the last two seasons that he has an all-court game. The same can be said for his two marginally younger rivals, Jacob Umaga (Wasps) and Marcus Smith (Harlequins), but playing for the Chiefs means that Simmonds has more big match experience – including acquitting himself well opposite Owen Farrell in last season’s Premiership final."

Where is he now? Also still with Exeter, and is beginning to recapture his best form after captaining the Chiefs to Premiership and European Cup glory

Exeter Chiefs player Joe Simmonds during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at the AJ Bell Stadium on October 1st. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK

#5. Alfie Barbeary (at hooker)

Age: 22
Club: Free agent
Position: Flanker, Number 8
Current caps: 0

Rugby Pass: "Odds are this will still be Jamie George’s jersey in three years’ time, though if Barbeary takes to senior rugby the way that he is capable of, his rise could be meteoric. Injuries have thus far made it a frustrating debut professional campaign for the young hooker, and we are yet to see him get a run of games at the senior level."

Where is he now? Ruled out until 2023 and is without a club following Wasps collapse.

Alfie Barbeary of Wasps during the Gallagher Premiership rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Wasps at Sandy Park on 17 April 2021. Photo: Cameron Geran/PPAUK

#5. Tom de Glanville

Age: 22
Club: Bath
Position: Fullback
Current caps: 0

Mike Brown: “De Glanville has all the skills. Get him in now to see if he can make the step up.”

Where is he now? He has established himself as an important and talented player within the Senior Squad, but finds himself some way of the international set-up due to the emergence of Freddie Steward

Tom de Glanville of Bath Rugby celebrates after winning during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears at the Recreation Ground on 5 March 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#6. Ben Spencer

Age: 30
Club: Bath
Position: Scrum-half
Current caps: 2

The Rugby Paper: "Ben Spencer, who has been sitting on the England sidelines for three years, should be given his chance as a starter at 9 rather than consigned to bit-parts off the bench. As he showed in his Bath debut, Spencer brings high tempo energy, has sprinter’s pace, a solid passing game, and an accurate box-kick."

Where is he now? Joined Bath after featuring in the 2019 World Cup final. However, with the emergency of Raffi Quirke and Jack van Poortvliet, Spencer is miles off the current squad.

Ben Spencer of Bath Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and London Irish at the Recreation Ground on 21 May 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

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