ADDITIONAL SQUAD MEMBERS
24. Tom West (Saracens)
Previously of Wasps and Leicester Tigers, Tom West is a loose-head prop that could well bolster the England squad come 2027. Currently uncapped for England, the 27-year-old could make a name for himself with Borthwick looking to replace the likes of Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola. One of the Premiership’s leading English loose-heads, West could well make his England debut in 2024.
25. Tim Hoyt (Leicester Tigers)
A prospect of the Leicester Tigers Academy, Tim Hoyt has been gaining valuable first team minutes at Championship side Nottingham since 2021. Steadily progressing with each passing match, Hoyt has emerged into the Tigers front-row, and gained key game-time in the Premiership Rugby Cup. More Tigers game-time is on Hoyt’s radar, with Dan Cole set to pass the torch. The current first choice tight-head in the England U20s, Hoyt is a name for the future that could well get the nod for Australia at 24-years-old.
26. Jamie George (Saracens)
The Saracens stalwart could head to the 2027 Rugby World Cup at 37-years-old, and will be the oldest player in the England squad. Following on from Dan Cole, who was oldest player in the trip to France, George would present an experienced head in the England camp for his fourth Rugby World Cup campaign. In our eyes, George would take a back-seat to Theo Dan in four years time, but is on hand to provide a veteran’s contribution in the front row.
27. Tom Pearson
With David Ribbans off to Toulon for the foreseeable future, the ex-Northampton Saints lock looks out of contention for Borthwick’s England squad for now. This has opened up a slot for Tom Pearson, with the Leicester Tigers back-row set to add depth to the England loose-forwards group. Given his England debut in the Summer, the former London Irish man was let go for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and has four years at Welford Road to get back on Borthwick’s books.
28. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
Another player like Van Poortvliet and Watson, who suffered an unfortunate injury in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup. Sale captain Ben Curry was hit by a brutal hamstring injury, that ruled him out of the 2023 Premiership Final, as well as any international hopes. One of England’s top blindside flankers, Curry is a player on the England fringes that will step up once Courtney Lawes steps down.
29. Tom Willis (Saracens)
Tom Willis has four years in the Premiership to reach the top of his game, and work his way into a re-occurring role in the England squad. Like his brother Jack, Tom Willis headed to France after the collapse of Wasps, with a year-long deal at Bordeaux. However, unlike his sibling, Willis has returned to England with his move to Saracens, whilst Jack remains in Toulouse with his England future up in the air. The next-in-line to Billy Vunipola for club and quite possibly country, Willis is out to make his mark.
30. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)
The forgotten England scrum half, Harry Randall has been making waves in the Premiership with his unmatched speed. Their were pockets calling for his inclusion after the untimely injury to Jack van Poortvliet, however Danny Care, Alex Mitchell and Ben Youngs was Borthwick’s choice for a halfback trio. Randall could well get the call-up, with time expected to come up on Care and Youngs’ time in an England jersey.
31. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
It is a tough take, but there was little expectation on Fin Smith to make England’s World Cup squad when Borthwick named him in his wider training group for the Summer. Pushed out with Farrell and Ford understandably getting the nod, 21-year-old Smith gained key experience in the England camp, but was let go just like his fly-half namesake was, four years ago before the trip to Japan. Fin will support Marcus in the England camp, and battle with Manu Vunipola for a spot on the England bench in 2027.
32. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
Amongst the fastest players in the Premiership, England fans have long been calling for Adam Radwan’s international recognition. In four years time, Radwan may well work his way into the squad, to represent his beloved Newcastle Falcons on the World Cup stage. With Jonny May a potential candidate to miss the trip to Australia from an age perspective, Radwan could well slot in to the mix for a supporting role.
33. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
Tommy Freeman would be the answer to Elliot Daly’s absence, should the Saracen not be picked for the 2027 trip to Australia. Freeman truly is Mr. Versatile, and like Daly, the Northampton Saints man is comfortable to occupy either wing, fullback and in the centres. Freeman would be a valuable ‘utility back’ for the England team, that can cover an array of positions across the pitch.
STAND BYE SQUAD (WIDER TRAINING GROUP)
Despite not making it into the 33-man squad for the competition, here is our predictions for the stand-bye list that could be called into action as injury cover. These players will have to keep themselves free for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with injuries expected to take place in the arduous competition. These 10 players are our picks for the wider training group, for late additions to the squad.
34. Val Rapava-Ruskin (Loose-Head Prop – Gloucester)
35. Jack Walker (Hooker – Harlequins)
36. Marcus Street (Tight-Head Prop – Exeter Chiefs)
37. Hugh Tizard (Lock – Saracens)
38. Alex Dombrandt (Back Row – Harlequins)
39. Sam Maunder (Scrum Half – Exeter Chiefs)
40. Harvey Skinner (Fly Half – Exeter Chiefs)
41. Elliot Daly (Centre – Saracens)
42. Cadan Murley (Winger – Harlequins)
43. Joe Carpenter (Fullback – Sale Sharks)