"Zach Mercer dropped" - Steve Borthwick announces his final 2023 England Rugby World Cup training squad

Premiership finalists Tom Curry, Elliot Daly, Ben Earl, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jamie George, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Max Malins, Bevan Rodd and Manu Tuilagi are called into the England set up following their mandatory rest period. Jack Willis is also named having recently won the Top 14 title with Toulouse.

The squad includes five uncapped players. The Premiership’s top try scorer, Cadan Murley, is joined by Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Season, Tom Pearson, as well as hooker Theo Dan, Gloucester’s Val Rapava-Ruskin, and Tom Willis, who finished the season with Bordeaux Bègles.

Luke Cowan-Dickie is out due to a shoulder injury with Theo Dan on Saracens replaces him.

Both Zach Mercer and Alex Mitchell are left out, with uncapped Tom Willis (of Bordeaux) and Danny Care included. Tom’s brother, Jack, is also selected.

The Vunipola brothers, Ollie Chessum, Ollie Lawrence and Jack Walker comprise a five-person rehabilitation list.

The England head coach will name his 33-player squad for the World Cup on August 7. There are no further trims until then.

"We’re excited to be able to bring a full training squad together for the first time and focus on the next stage of our World Cup preparations," said Borthwick. "I am pleased with the balance of the squad, which blends experience with youth.

"Our preparation camps over the last three weeks have allowed those players who didn’t feature in the Premiership final to start to get physically equipped for a World Cup campaign. The attitude of the players has been excellent, and I have seen a group who have wholeheartedly committed to what we have asked of them.

"We hope today’s announcement is the start of something special for our supporters, who I know are eagerly anticipating the tournament as much as we are."

Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 100 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 45 caps)

Theo Dan (Saracens, uncapped)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 14 caps)

Ben Earl (Saracens, 15 caps)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 77 caps)

Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 67 caps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)

Joe Marler (Harlequins, 79 caps)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)

Tom Pearson (London Irish, uncapped)

Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)

David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)

Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 25 caps)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 29 caps)

Jack Willis (Toulouse, 10 caps)

Tom Willis (Bordeaux Bègles, uncapped)

Henry Arundell (London Irish, 7 caps)

Danny Care (Harlequins, 87 caps)

Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 106 caps)

George Ford (Sale Sharks, 81 caps)

Max Malins (Saracens, 18 caps)

Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 15 caps)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 72 caps)

Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)

Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 56 caps)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 21 caps)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)

Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 51 caps)

Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)

Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 79 caps)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 68 caps)

Jack Walker (Harlequins, 3 caps)

After making a return to the Premiership with Gloucester from Montpellier, there were high expectations for Mercer's potential comeback to the England team. However, the decision to exclude Zach and opt for the inexperienced yet powerful Tom Willis surely comes as a significant blow to the former Bath number 8.

A number of fans couldn't understand the decision with one writing: "On what planet is Dommers a better player? I just do not get it."

A second commented: "Bet Zach Mercer is chuffed. Told to come home by Eddie Jones and when he does his replacement Steve Borthwick dumps him."

Another said: "Sometimes it’s hard to get a grasp of who is missing etc in a big squad like that at first. But just seen Zach Mercer is out…..I can’t fathom this

In a shocking turn of events, Northampton's talented playmaker Mitchell has been omitted from the squad, despite making a series of impressive appearances for England during the 2023 Six Nations. Not only did Mitchell showcase his skills on the international stage, but he also proved to be one of the most consistent performers for the Saints. The decision to exclude him has undoubtedly raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.

The immensely skilled fly-half was inevitably deemed a casualty as Owen Farrell and George Ford were summoned back into action following their captivating clash in the Premiership final.

Rumoured to be signing with Sale Sharks, the former Exeter hooker has been unable to recover from injury in time to put himself in contention for the squad.

On Cowan-Dickie's absence from the squad, Borthwick added: "Despite all his incredible work and progress, Luke’s shoulder has not improved sufficiently for him to be considered for selection for the World Cup. We wish him a swift recovery and hope to see him back playing very soon."