3. Jonny May
Sticking with the wingers, Jonny May is another talented speedster who didn’t make the cut under Borthwick. England’s new Head Coach has clearly opted for youth out wide, which sees the 32-year-old May left out of the squad. The Gloucester man has had an entertaining career in an England shirt, providing supporters with a highlight reel of moments, such as his dramatic diving finish against Italy in the closed-doors 2021 Six Nations.
May is a proven scorer in an England shirt, capable of crossing the whitewash on the biggest occasions. He is the second highest try scorer for his country, and the leading scorer of the professional era. With 35 tries in 72 caps, he is second only to the great Rory Underwood.
May was last seen in England’s final Autumn International of 2022, as he started on the left wing against South Africa. May started all of England’s Autumn Internationals except for the match against Argentina. Borthwick’s insistence on utilising younger players, and giving them major competition experience ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, shines clear with May’s exclusion from the squad to face Scotland.
4. Val Rapava-Ruskin
One of Eddie Jones’ newest editions to the England training squad prior to his departure, Gloucester prop Val Rapava-Ruskin would be let down to hear that he is missing out, after his breakthrough at Kingsholm. Still uncapped in an England jersey, the Georgian born prop has been putting on inspired performances in the Cherry and White.
Val has established himself as a fan favourite, combining his powerful ball carrying with textbook ‘old-school’ scrummaging, the prop also has four tries this season for the club. His exclusion from the England squad will only benefit the West Country club. Head Coach George Skivington will utilise the league’s international departures, to work towards securing a top four Premiership finish for Gloucester.
The returning Dan Cole asks questions of Val’s experience on the biggest occasions, with Borthwick preferring the veteran Leicester Tigers man. 35-year-old Cole returns to the England set-up for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final defeat to the Springboks. He will bring the experience to the younger selected front rowers, Joe Heyes and Bevan Rodd.