Front Row
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin – Gloucester Rugby
Constantly overlooked despite consistently strong performances at Kingsholm, Val Rapava-Ruskin will miss out on the upcoming competition. The search for his international test debut goes on, and Big Val could well turn his attention to his native Georgia if Borthwick continues to exclude him.
2. Jamie Blamire – Newcastle Falcons
Missing out on one of the three hooker spots due to the tough competition, Blamire heads back up North after a tough showing against Wales. The trio of hooker spots have been awarded to England stalwart Jamie George, his Saracens protégé and recent England debutant Theo Dan, and Harlequins star Jack Walker.
3. Joe Heyes – Leicester Tigers
At one point Heyes was on the England fringes, yet his Leicester Tigers mentor Dan Cole has since beaten him to the punch and packs down a vacant England tight-head spot. Kyle Sinckler has had the England ‘3’ tattooed on his back for a good while now, with Will Stuart’s recent stand-out showing against Wales shaking up the waters.
4. Jonny Hill – Sale Sharks
Let go by Borthwick for the 2023 Six Nations, Hill had a golden opportunity to stamp his claim for a Rugby World Cup spot against Wales. Interestingly, Hill has been named to face Wales in the return match at Twickenham, despite not making the Rugby World Cup squad. Hill comes back in as Ollie Chessum has still not recovered from his injury. Also, George Martin will undergo the enforced stand-down procedure after his failed HIA in Cardiff, so the door remains a jar for the Sale lock.
5. Nick Isiekwe – Saracens
The Saracens lock played 44 minutes under Borthwick in the 2023 Six Nations, as he came off the bench against Scotland in the opening round defeat for the Calcutta Cup. He returned in place of David Ribbans for the final minutes of the Grand Slam sealing defeat against Ireland, yet will not feature in the upcoming World Cup campaign.
6. Tom Pearson – Northampton Saints
Despite the excitement surrounding the 2023 Premiership Breakthrough Player of the Year, Tom Pearson will have to settle for ‘one and done’ for now. The former London Irish man was omitted from camp after making his debut against Wales, and will start off his new journey with the Saints sooner than expected.
7. Tom Willis – Saracens
Tom Willis will not be joining his brother Jack in the Rugby World Cup squad, after his debut against France failed to catch the eye of his Head Coach. Willis will head in the opposite direction to his England teammates, as he departs Bordeaux for a new start at Saracens, whilst England set off to France.
8. Alex Dombrandt – Harlequins
An interesting exclusion from Borthwick, now that England are without a specialist number eight aside from the injured Billy Vunipola. Dombrandt was a mainstay in the England back-row throughout the 2023 Six Nations, as he started every match. However, it seems that he’s had his last opportunity to impress Borthwick for now.
Replacements
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie – Sale Sharks (Complications with transfers and injuries put availability in doubt.)
17. Mako Vunipola – Saracens (Failed to return from injury).
18. Sam Underhill – Bath Rugby (Ommitted by Borthwick three weeks ago).
19. Sam Simmonds – Montpellier (Self-withdrew from Borthwick’s squad, and moves on to Montpellier)
20. Zach Mercer – Gloucester Rugby (Overlooked despite bossing Top 14, now new arrival at Gloucester)
21. Adam Radwan – Newcastle Falcons (Overlooked and injury problems halted momentum.)
22. Jonny May – Gloucester Rugby (Included as possible substitute to play Wales at Twickenham, like Hill)
23. Jack Nowell – La Rochelle (Off to France after Exeter Chiefs had to let him go with salary cuts)