7. Ed Slater
They wrote: “Terrible luck with injuries – he played on with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in an uncapped fixture against the Crusaders in 2014 – but when fit the Leicester captain has the bulk and brutishness that was missing from England’s World Cup second rows.”
Where he is now: He’s managed to stay fit since joining Gloucester in 2017 but has been overlooked by Eddie Jones in favour of younger second-rows in his latest squad.
8. Dave Ewers
They wrote: “The 24-year-old Zimbabwe-born Exeter flanker was a surprise omission from England’s 50-man World Cup training squad after being shortlisted for Premiership forward of the season in May, scoring five tries in 26 appearances. A blindside specialist, he offers explosive power and bone-crunching commitment.”
Where he is now: In February 2016 he was called up to England’s 2016 Six Nations squad, but he failed to make an appearance. Remains firmly out of the picture.