Rugby World Cup: selecting the England RWC players from this year

Status quo

Freddie Steward: Steward has one of the strongest aerial games around, despite his occasional tackling fragility and perceived lack of sheer gas. His capacity to ascend high and control space is crucial to Steve Borthwick's plans given the expected England World Cup tactics, which include a lot of kicking off nine, ten, and possibly twelve.

With Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly, and Max Malins all having experience at 15, England's Rugby World Cup squad back three options in reserve that offer a mix-and-match approach of wingers and full-backs, but the curveball comes in the form of Saints' George Furbank, who has enjoyed a blisteringly effective season as a key attacking threat.

Ben Loader of the London Irish has also made an impression on everyone who has seen him in what can be regarded as the young England RWC players breakthrough year. 14 Anthony Watson: Despite the strong argument made by Newcastle Falcons speedster Adam Radwan, a status quo selection was decided once again.

Again, this is about selecting the best England RWC players for the expected game plan. Watson exudes class in attack and is simply exceptional in terms of his kick-chase and defensive game. There are plenty of possibilities for England in this situation; each of Malins, Daly, or Radwan can propose a different strategy.

The underdog in this battle, though, is the English-qualified Australian flyer James Ramm, a standout performer from Northampton who can play any position along the back three.

Pace and power

Joe Marchant:

The Quins outside centre has more tries, high balls, and tackles than any other English-qualified midfielder. Marchant is a fantastic athlete who provides a lot in gaining aerial competition, but England Rugby World Cup 2023 has treated him quite unevenly. A centre one week, a wing the next, and then utterly dropped.

Which is puzzling given his performance in the Premier League. Speaking of actions in the Premiership, Fraser Dingwall of the Northampton Saints is the only centre who provides continuity of pass and attacking vision. Although he has been a part of EPS squads since 2020 and continues to have an excellent attacking partnership with Scotland's Rory Hutchinson at the domestic level, it is astonishing that his talents have yet to earn him a full cap. Luke North, Quin's teammate of Marchant, would take part in this discussion.

If he could manage to go a run of games without experiencing a physical setback, Daly would serve as his backup. Daly is England's best passer of the ball and, despite his defensive shortcomings; he poses enough of a threat to warrant inclusion in the match-day 23.

Ollie Lawrence:

Lawrence's play for Bath has almost entirely turned around the West Country club's fortunes, therefore it was appropriate that they clinched the final Champions Cup position in overtime thanks to his try. Fly-half pioneering has been a perennial problem position for England Rugby, partially due to the different needs of the position that have emerged over the last two years. Rugby World Cup 2023 fans can buy England Rugby World Cup Tickets from our website. Because of his connection to our chosen 10, Saracen Alex Lozowski might receive a nod. His versatility may work in his favour. A powerful, smart, and outstanding defender who can play 12 or 13, he is worth much more than his five caps to date indicate.

Manu Tuilagi comes last on the list. Yes, he is being kept together by prayer and duct tape, but no other centre terrorises defences like the big guy on the crash. If healthy, he is exceptional, but in the later years of his career, fitness has been a constant problem for him.

Cadan Murley:

It is baffling why the outstanding Murley hasn't received a single cap given that he leads the Premiership in try scoring with 15 and is a master of both the aerial and defensive game. His gifts of pace and power, out of all the England RWC players on our list, present the strongest argument of any of our form players.

While Hassell-Collins and Thorley have also been on fire at the domestic level, Joe Cokanasiga provides a physical counterbalance to any backline he adorns. Malins' case is still very strong.

Owen Farrell:

If this is a form choice, then Farrell's control of the Saracens backline has been simply brilliant the entire season, goal-kicking aside. They had shape and structure when he played for England at the age of 10.

The main problem Borthwick has is that choosing any of these two excellent England RWC players necessitates a complete reorganisation of the midfield surrounding them. Marcus Smith still provides Farrell with so much in so many different ways. And speaking of form, George Ford provides another incredibly excellent pivot option even though he has only recently returned from injury.

Alex Mitchell:

Mitchell's ruck recycle speed, which is spiky, quick, and savvy, is at the crux of everything excellent about the Saints' attacking brilliance. His season has been fantastic, and when he played with England, the team's pace picked up considerably. Although he doesn't always make the finest passes and doesn't always kick, he lights up whatever back division he plays in.