ormer England boss Sir Clive Woodward has called for Steve Borthwick to make some late changes to his 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.
When picking his XV for the Mail Online, the 2003 World Cup winner selected three players from outside of Borthwick’s current 33-man group, and also radically picked Freddie Steward at inside-centre.
Writing in his column for the Mail Online, Woodward stated: “It’s time for Steve Borthwick to bite the bullet and tear apart England’s World Cup squad after poor warm-up displays and bans.”
Here are the changes to the squad he suggested.
#1. Zach Mercer replacing Billy Vunipola
Woodward wrote: “Given his ban, Vunipola should not go to the World Cup.
“He is the only out-and-out No 8 in the squad and England can’t face Argentina with a non-specialist there. Ben Earl and Lewis Ludlam could do a job, but when a better No 8 is available you have to play him. I’d take out Vunipola and bring in Zach Mercer.
“Vunipola is not the player of four years ago. Mercer would bring some much-needed pace to the team. Vunipola can rejoin the squad if there are injuries in France, which is almost a given.”