Fans pick their England XV for 2023 Rugby World Cup

Wednesday, 18 August 2021 at 11:04

byRugby Rucker

So in a little over two years when the tournament does get under way, which stars will have muscled their way into the starting England XV?

In total, there were nearly 30,000 selected teams and the most popular player was second row Maro Itoje, who featured in 97% of line-ups.

His place was never really in doubt. But there were some marginal calls that will draw much more controversy.

Here is the line-up:

BACK-THREE:

15. Anthony Watson - picked in 41% of teams
14. Jack Nowell - 22%
11. Adam Radwan - 47%

Watson edged out Elliot Daly on 36%. Max Malins scored 17% with George Furbank getting 6%.

CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade - 35%
12. Manu Tuilagi - 26%

The Exeter playmaker is clear favourite for outside centre although Worcester's Ollie Lawrence, who makes his first start on Saturday against Georgia, picks up 17% of the vote. Bath's Jonathan Joseph get 11%.

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith - 48%
9. Harry Randall - 40%

FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge - 48%
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - 63%
3. Kyle Sinckler - 85%

Leicester's Genge is the loose-head choice ahead of Saracens' Mako Vunipola on 41%.

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SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje - 70%
5. Jonny Hill - 41%

The Exeter man is a newcomer to the international stage but was a popular selection. Lawes (17%) and Launchbury (8%) are again the closest to getting a spot.