On Saturday, Jack Van Poortvliet added his 14th Test cap to his record for England and seemed poised to make his debut in a World Cup.
The 22-year-old player from Leicester Tigers was selected as part of Steve Borthwick’s 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup.
However, his participation hangs in the balance due to an incident that occurred in the 32nd minute, resulting in him needing assistance to leave the field.
While England does have seasoned options available, such as Ben Youngs and Danny Care, both of whom are also part of Borthwick’s World Cup squad, Van Poortvliet has been a consistent presence in the team as of late.
It’s understood that Alex Mitchell, a standout player from Northampton Saints, has been designated as the reserve scrum-half and would likely step in if needed, following Borthwick’s decision.
“No Mercer or Underhill” – The England standby player for each position after squad announcement
Who will England head coach Steve Borthwick summon if injuries happen in France during the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
The England head coach named his 33-man squad for the showpiece event on Monday with Alex Dombrandt and Henry Slade being the two most notable omissions.
Below, we pick a XV of players likely to be on standby.
#15. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
We start off with a player out of position. With plenty of fullback cover already in the squad, you would presume that if Freddie Steward got injured, then Henry Arundell or Anthony Watson would be shifted to fullback, with another winger called up. Speedster Murley, who was the fastest England back during the training camp, would surely be the next player off the bench to cover the back-three positions.
#14. Jonny May (Gloucester)
If England were to face injuries late in the tournament, Borthwick might opt for experience and consider summoning one of the most lethal wingers of the past decade, despite his advancing years. May stands as England’s second top try-scorer of all time.
#13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
The biggest shock of the squad announcement, Slade would surely be the only choice for Borthwick should a centre be ruled out. Numerous pundits, including Sir Clive Woodward, are of the opinion that he should have been included from the outset.
#12. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)
Both Borthwick and his predecessor Jones evidently hold a favourable opinion of the Tigers’ center. While Porter has not yet delivered a standout performance for England, he proved to be a dependable lieutenant for Borthwick during the latter’s time as the head of Leicester.
#11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
Arguably the most unpredictable choice among the back-three alternatives, Cokanasiga did not manage to make a strong impression against Wales. However, at his peak performance, he has drawn comparisons to the legendary Jonah Lomu for his combination of speed, size, and ball-carrying power.
