Marcus Smith has been chosen for the position of number 10 of the XV at the Rose for the preparation match for the 2023 World Cup against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday. The fly half was chosen over Owen Farrell and George Ford who seemed to be the favorites for the position.
Coach Steve Borthwick is due to announce the team that will represent England at the World Cup which begins in France in September on Monday (September 8 – October 28) and Smith will try to demonstrate on Saturday that a third opener has its place in the selection.
The team presented Thursday is mainly made up of aspirants to the selection for the World Cup that the English will start with a match against Argentina on September 9 in Marseille. It thus does not include any player from Saracens and Sale, the two finalist clubs in the English championship.
The team captain on Saturday will be Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears) and Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints) will make his national team debut at third line wing. The English will play against the Welsh again on August 12 at Twickenham and then complete their warm-up matches against Ireland and Fiji in the second half of August.
Line-up of England v Wales squad:
Steward – Malins, Marchant, Porter, Cokanasiga – (o)Smith, (m)Care – Pearson, Dombrandt, Ludlam – Martin, Ribbans – Stuart, Blamire, Genge (cap.)
Remplaçants : Dan, Rodd, Sinckler, Hill, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford, Slade
Selector: Steve Borthwick (ENG)
