England's starting XV for the 2027 World Cup was predicted in 2023 - It looks interesting now

With just a year to go until the competition gets underway in Australia, we now have a much clearer idea of who is likely to make the plane and feature for Steve Borthwick's side.

After a disappointing Six Nations campaign this year, which saw England win just one of their five matches, there is still plenty of work to do if they are to be competitive at the World Cup.

Here is Sky Sports' predicted XV and where those players stand now.

One of several picks that have aged relatively well but remain far from certain, Steward has been in and out of the England side over the past few years.

Often used as a scapegoat when England struggle, Marcus Smith remains the preferred option at fullback, with George Furbank also in the mix when fit.

Steward remains on the fringes and is still a solid Premiership player, while a strong run of form could yet earn him a place on the plane.

What Sky Sports said: "Experiments with Marcus Smith at fullback aside, the Leicester Tigers player's commanding display in the narrow semi-final defeat to South Africa underlined why he has made this spot in the England team his own since his debut in 2021."

Malins suffered a serious Achilles injury during the 2024/25 season and has endured some extremely unfortunate luck with injuries throughout his career.

He is now highly unlikely to make the plane, while the emergence of Noah Caluori and Tommy Freeman has made his route back into the England side even more difficult.

What Sky Sports said: "Malins was part of England's Rugby World Cup squad in France and with Gloucester's [Jonny] May set to call time on his international career sooner rather than later, he will soon have the opportunity to establish himself as the go-to player on the right wing."

Joseph remains a solid Premiership player, but he has never quite managed to establish himself as a consistent international.

Now at Gloucester, he is some way down the pecking order when it comes to England's options at centre.

What Sky Sports said: "At just 21, he has plenty of time to force his way into the reckoning."

This was not a bad prediction at all. When fit, Lawrence is arguably England's best centre.

However, a combination of injuries and a lack of favour from Borthwick means there is still some uncertainty over whether he will feature in Australia.

What Sky Sports said: "Lawrence endured something of an up and down start to his Test career during Eddie Jones' tenure, but impressed enough to stay in Steve Borthwick's plans and has an opportunity to nail down the No 12 shirt if Manu Tuilagi's international career comes to an end soon."

Until relatively recently, Arundell looked destined to become a regular for England for years to come.

However, a difficult game against Scotland, which saw him sent off, proved to be a turning point in his international career. Noah Caluori, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are now all ahead of him in the pecking order.

His pace still makes him a dangerous option, meaning there remains an outside chance of him making the plane.

What Sky Sports said: "At the age of 20, Arundell still has plenty of time to forge a stellar career and if he continues his upward trajectory the former London Irish winger is likely to be assured of one of England's wing berths for many years to come."

Smith is likely to travel to Australia, but not in the position Sky Sports predicted.

Fin Smith has taken over at fly-half, although it would have been difficult to predict that in 2023 given how young he was at the time.

Sky Sports highlighted the need to harness Marcus Smith's talent, something that has never quite happened consistently at Test level.

What Sky Sports said: "If England can harness the Harlequins player's undoubted talent, then he should be the one to pull the strings in Australia in 2027."

With Archie McParland developing strongly, Van Poortvliet's position is not quite as secure as it once was.

He and McParland, along with Alex Mitchell, are likely to be among the three scrum-halves travelling to Australia.

There is a good chance Van Poortvliet could start, but his place in the XV is by no means guaranteed.

What Sky Sports said: "A toss-up between him and Alex Mitchell, who was England's go-to scrum-half during the World Cup when Van Poortvliet was ruled out due to an ankle injury, but the Leicester Tigers No 9 had seemingly been Borthwick's first choice up to that point."

Genge is now one of the first names on England's team sheet, although Sky Sports' prediction that he would be captain has not quite come to fruition.

He remains a strong leader and an important member of the squad, though, and is likely to be England's starting loosehead.

What Sky Sports said: "Genge has long been groomed to take over the captaincy when [Owen] Farrell eventually calls time on his career, and he may finally have his chance to do that when the next World Cup rolls around."

Things have not quite worked out for Dan at Test level, with the hooker yet to establish himself as a regular international starter.

Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie remain the leading options, meaning Dan could still travel as third choice, but a starting role looks unlikely.

What Sky Sports said: "It is feasible he will go on to take over from George for both club and country in the No 2 shirt, and with the latter now 33 it may happen sooner rather than later for the former England U18 and U20 international."

Unfortunately for England, Sinckler looks set to remain at Top 14 club Toulon, which would make him ineligible for selection under current RFU rules.

He remains a quality prop and would provide England with a valuable option if he were available for selection.

What Sky Sports said: "There is no reason to think Sinckler will not continue to form part of a hard-nosed prop pairing with Genge in Australia in four years' time."

Now Leicester Tigers captain and one of England's leading players, Chessum has developed significantly since being tipped to start the next World Cup.

The lock has established himself as a very strong option for Borthwick and looks well placed to be involved in Australia.

What Sky Sports said: "He is someone England head coach Borthwick has worked closely with at Leicester Tigers too, being part of their Premiership-winning team in 2022, and at 23 has plenty of time to keep developing his skillset."

Another strong prediction from Sky Sports, Itoje has endured a difficult period at times but remains England captain and one of their leading players.

He should get his opportunity in Australia, with the tournament potentially representing his final World Cup.

What Sky Sports said: "Another player who has a presence at the line-out and is equally adept when it comes to both attacking and defending, Itoje will be playing in his third World Cup if he makes the team for Australia and will bring invaluable experience too."

The emergence of a number of talented young back-rowers means Curry is not guaranteed a starting spot, but his quality makes him a strong contender for selection.

A player of his calibre is likely to remain firmly in the conversation heading into the World Cup.

What Sky Sports said: "Adept at playing on either flank, along with occasionally being deployed at No 8, the Sale Sharks back row should continue in that role as a menace to opponents for many years to come."

This is perhaps the toughest prediction for England to see fall apart.

Willis has established himself as one of the world's leading flankers since moving to France, but his decision to remain overseas means he is currently unavailable for England.

With the RFU's selection rules still preventing Borthwick from picking overseas-based players, Willis cannot be called upon unless his circumstances change.

What Sky Sports said: "The 26-year-old has made a name for himself in France too after helping Toulouse to the 2023 Top 14 title, joining them following the collapse of Wasps midway through last season, and is sure to be back in the reckoning once he has fully recovered."

New Saracens signing Barbeary remains a player with huge potential, although he has yet to establish himself at international level.

His off-field persona and lack of conditioning disrupted his progress, while his ability to consistently perform at Test level remains to be proven, as he is still uncapped.

Sky Sports did at least mention him alongside Ben Earl in their prediction, with Earl now looking like the leading contender for the No 8 shirt heading into next year's World Cup.

What Sky Sports said: "Injury has disrupted his career and left him still waiting for his Test debut, but if the 23-year-old Bath back row can overcome those issues and start showing the sort of form he was producing in a Wasps shirt then the former England U18 and U20 international can force his way into the reckoning again."