Top 5 England Players at Risk of Missing 2023 Rugby World Cup

Rugby News

by Rugby Rucker

Monday, 03 October 2022 at 14:15

byRugby Rucker

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The 2023 Rugby World Cup is 12 months away and national team bosses will be starting to fine-tune their squads.

But with a talented squad comes the difficult task of choosing the final team that will represent the country.

Going on current form, RUCK, takes a look at the top England stars that Jones might overlook.

#1. Kyle Sinckler

Age: 29
Club: Bristol Bears
Caps: 58
Position: Tighthead-prop

Followed up not being named in England’s training squad with an absolute shocker in front of Eddie Jones against Newcastle Falcons. The usually skilful prop fumbled at least three balls and was consistently penalised by referee Luke Pearce in the scrum.

When he did win a scrum penalty he was warned by the ref for losing his composure, with the official threatening to send him off.

Pat Lam read the situation and hooked him off. He's now gone from one of the first names on the England team sheet to being a doubt to even make the squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.

Final whistle celebrations for Ellis Genge of England Rugby, \Kyle Sinckler of England Rugby and Joe Marler of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#2. Jonny May

Age: 32
Club: Gloucester
Caps: 69
Position: Winger

Has followed up a nightmare summer with England with a poor start to the Premiership season.

May has been a key part of Eddie Jones’ England set up and is the second highest try scorer for his country behind Rory Underwood. He played an integral role in England’s 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign which saw them reach the final of the competition

However, following the emergence of Henry Arundell, Tommy Freeman and Adam Radwan, it seems like the 32-year-old's time at international level may be coming to an end.

Jonny May of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#3. Sam Simmonds

Age: 28
Club: Exeter Chiefs
Caps: 14
Position: Number 8

Despite his move to Montpellier,Jones expects him to be available for next autumn’s World Cup. However, once that is complete he will be ineligible to play for England.

Simmonds has failed to make an impact on the international scene with the back-rowers stock having dropped considerably in the last 12 months.

Added to that, Jones is understood to have been heavily involved in trying to lure Zach Mercer back to the Premiership to make him eligible for the national side

The England boss also has Harlequins star Alex Dombrandt and Billy Vunipola to select from.

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#4. Danny Care

Age: 35
Club: Harlequins
Caps: 87
Position: Scrum-half

Care remains "100 per cent" part of Jones' thinking according to the England head coach, if you choose to believe the Aussie.

The veteran playmaker toured with England in Australia this summer, but was replaced during the first half of the third test in a controversial tactical switch.

Jones went onto suggest that England will take only one of Ben Youngs or Danny Care to the Rugby World Cup next year as one of their three half-backs.

He said: "We’ll have three half-backs - one who can run a game, one who can do something really exciting, your Randall or Mitchell type, and one with experience which will be Benny or Danny Care. That’s the plan at the moment, all the half-backs are aware of it and then it’s who is the most consistent, who puts himself up for selection."

Danny Care of England arriving before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)

#5. George Ford

Age: 29
Club: Sale Sharks
Caps: 84
Position: Fly-half

Earned an England recall through his fantastic form with Leicester during the 2021/22 Premiership season, but has been ruled out since suffering an achilles injury in the Premiership final against Saracens.

Sharks are hopeful that the pivot will be available for the encounter with his old club Leicester on December 30, but it is a setback for player, club and country.

With limited time to prove his fitness and form, his chances of making of the World Cup squad seem slim right now.

Leicester Tigers player George Ford (c) during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Nov 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK