XV de la Rose coach Steve Borthwick announced on Monday his list of 33 players selected for the World Cup (September 8-October 28). Main surprise, the center Henry Slade was not retained. A regular in the squad since 2015, he was dismissed by the previous coach, Eddie Jones, last November. His versatility (back and winger also) did not convince Borthwick.
Among the other players ultimately not retained, we can mention number eight Alex Dombrandt, UBB flanker Tom Willis (unlike his brother, Jack Willis, champion of France with Stade Toulousain), center Guy Porter or the wingers Joe Cokanasiga and Jonny May.
Joe Marler and Billy Vunipola are in this list (unlike his brother, prop Mako), as are Manu Tuilagi, veteran scrum-half Danny Care and future Stade Français Paris center Joe Marchant.
Scrum half Ben Young (33 years old, 122 caps), second-line Courtney Lawes (34 years old, 97 caps) and prop Dan Cole (36 years old, 100 caps) are playing their fourth World Cup, just like Lawes.
“The Rugby World Cups impose unique challenges, particularly in terms of the demands on the players and the flexibility of the team (…) I am convinced that we have selected a group of 33 players who can meet these challenges. and to allow us to be as competitive as possible, assured the coach, Steve Borthwick. A number of very difficult decisions had to be made and some very good players were not selected, as the competition was tough during the last eight weeks of preparation.
England will start their World Cup on September 9 in Marseille with a clash against Argentina. His other opponents in Group D are Japan, Samoa and Chile.
AVANTS (19) Mainstays: Dan Cole (Leicester), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Will Stuart (Bath) Hookers: Theo Dan (Saracens), Jamie George (Saracens), Jack Walker (Harlequins)Second Rows: Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Maro Itoje (Saracens), David Ribbans (Toulon)Third Rows: Tom Curry (Sale), Ben Earl (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton) , Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), George Martin (Leicester), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Willis (Toulouse)
BACK HALVES (14) Scrum-halfs: Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester) Openers: Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Sale), Marcus Smith (Harlequins) Wingers: Max Malins ( Bristol), Anthony Watson (without club), Elliot Daly (Saracens) Centers: Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Joe Marchant (Stade Français Paris), Manu Tuilagi (Sale) Backs: Henry Arundell (Racing 92), Freddie Steward (Leicester)