Back in 2019, Rugby World predicted the England team for the 2023 World Cup

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by Steven Smith

Friday, 21 August 2020 at 09:25

bySteven Smith

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Back in 2019, the Rugby World Magazine gazed into their crystal ball and lodged their prediction as to which promising youngsters would go on to make up the future England team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup…

Rugby World’s 2019 England XV:

Fullback: Josh Hodge - "An accomplished goalkicker whose counter-attacking runs will make the most geriatric supporter stand from their seat."

Winger: Joe Cokanasiga - "In four years he will be a frightening prospect, as his aerial and defensive skills improve to match his bulldozing attacking flair."

Centre: Henry Slade - "The second distributor in this England side, Slade will be one of the team’s leaders in 2023."

Centre: Ollie Lawrence - "Capable of marrying the power of Tuilagi with the shiftiness of a Jonathan Joseph, he should make opposition defences afraid."

Winger: Anthony Watson - " It feels as if he’s been around for a decade, but Watson has still not peaked."

Fly-half: Owen Farrell - "Farrell will be 32 in 2023, but it would be a shock if he wasn’t England’s elder statesman in the next tournament."

Scrum-half: Harry Randall - "A jet-heeled jinker whose kicking game is rapidly improving, Randall stepped up to Premiership rugby with ease last season and expect him to kick on more this term."

Prop: Ellis Genge - "Imagine how good he could be in four years, learning scrummaging from Joe Marler and picking up a few handling tricks from Mako Vunipola."

Ellis Genge of England returns to the changing room holding the winners trophy. - The Old Mutual Wealth Cup between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on May 29, 2016 in Twickenham, London. PHOTO: Mandatory by-line: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle - Photo Agency Ltd Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 290516 - SPORT-RUGBY- The Old Mutual Wealth Cup- Twickenham Stadium,Twickenham, London, England ,UK

Hooker: Jamie George - "Such is his form at the moment, it is hard to see any player surpassing him for the starting jersey."

Prop: Kyle Sinckler - "His battle with Tadhg Furlong for the tighthead shirt on the 2021 Lions tour will be one to watch."

Lock: Maro Itoje - "Saracens and England will need to manage his workload to ensure this generational talent will arrive at the peak of his powers."

Lock: Joel Kpoku - "An incredibly hard-hitting carrier in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, a selection in the coming months would not be surprising."

Flanker: Tom Curry - "Nominated for World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in the same year as his international breakthrough, the fairytale story should continue for Curry."

Flanker: Sam Underhill - "If his tough tackling does not lead to injury, expect to see the Curry-Underhill combination in France."

Number 8: Billy Vunipola - "With the spirit of optimism, and the example of Duane Vermeulen, who won a World Cup at 33, we’ll say he’ll make it – with Bath’s Zach Mercer an heir to develop in the interim."

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