England coach Steve Borthwick unveiled a list of 41 players on Friday, including six playing for Saracens, including captain Owen Farrell, to prepare for the World Cup in France (September 8 – October 28). Elliot Daly, Ben Earl, Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Max Malins were also called up after their Premiership title on May 27.
Among Sale’s finalist team, Tom Curry, George Ford, Jonny Hill, Bevan Rodd and Manu Tuilagi will join the XV de la Rose training camp after a rest period, the English Federation (RFU) said in a press release. .
“We are happy to finally be able to all come together for the first time and focus on the next stage of our preparation for the World Cup. I am satisfied with the balance between experience and youth within the team”, declared the coach, in office since the beginning of the year 2023, quoted in the press release.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) has not been included in this group and will miss the tournament in France due to a shoulder injury, from which he is not recovered “despite incredible work and progress “said the coach.
Mako and Billy Vunipola, along with Ollie Chessum, Ollie Lawrence and Jack Walker are also recovering but remain hopeful of making the final 33-man roster that Borthwick will announce on August 7.
The third row of Stade Toulouse Jack Willis, who has just been crowned champion of France, is well on the list, as is his brother Tom (Bordeaux-Bègles), who plays in the same position.
On the other hand, the third line of Montpellier Zach Mercer, voted best player in the Top 14 last year after winning the first Bouclier de Brennus from the Hérault club, is absent.
For its preparation, England will face Wales twice, as well as Ireland and Fiji, before starting the World Cup against Argentina on September 9 in Marseille.