Back in 2015, the Telegraph's website gazed into their crystal ball and lodged their prediction as to which promising youngsters would go on to make up the future England team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup…
The results? A good effort but a few head-scratchers. Indeed, a few players play regular for England but two have retired from International rugby with one quitting the game altogether.
Normally we wouldn’t be so sniffy about predictions as viewed in glorious 20-20 hindsight (Christ knows we’ve cocked up enough of our own over the years!) but they left out Owen Farrell and it’s the Telegraph, so…y’know…sod ’em!
Telegraph's 2019 England XV:
Fullback: Anthony Watson
Winger: Nathan Earle
Outside-centre: Jonathan Joseph
Inside-centre: Henry Slade
Exeter Chiefs' Jack Nowell with Exeter Chiefs' Henry Slade - Photo mandatory by-line: Steve Bond/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 26/04/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - Aviva Premiership - Wasps v Exeter Chiefs - The Ricoh Arena, Coventry[/caption]
Winger: Jack Nowell
Fly-half: George Ford
George Ford has his sights set on series victory[/caption]
Scrum-half: Dan Robson
Loosehead prop: Joe Marler
Hooker: Luke Cowan-Dickie
Tighthead prop: Paul Hill
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Paul Hill of Northampton Saints during the Aviva Premiership match between Northampton Saints and Gloucester Rugby at Franklin's Gardens on November 27, 2015 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)[/caption]
Lock: Joe Launchbury
Joe Launchbury of England during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK[/caption]
Lock: Maro Itoje
Maro Itoje of Saracens celebrates the win during the Aviva Premiership Final between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 26. - PHOTO: Cameron Geran/PPAUK/Aviva[/caption]
Blindside flanker: Nathan Hughes
Openside flanker: Will Fraser
Saracen's Will Fraser - Photo mandatory by-line:Graeme Truby/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 16/12/2011 - SPORT - Heineken Cup - Pool 1 - RUGBY - Saracens v Munster, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, England[/caption]
Number 8: Billy Vunipola
Billy Vunipola of Saracens looks dejected after losing during the Aviva Premiership Semi Final Match between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Sandy Park, Exeter, Devon on May 20. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK[/caption]
