Mike Brown selects his England World Cup squad with 12 months to go

Friday, 02 September 2022 at 12:24

byRugby Rucker

Former England fullback Mike Brown has revealed the England squad that he'd pick in the run up to the Rugby World Cup next September.

#FRONT-ROW:

Loosehead: Ellis Genge, Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler
Hooker: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie Blamire
Tighthead: Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Joe Heyes

Brown wrote: "On the loosehead, Ellis Genge is the out-and-out first choice. Joe Marler should come back for the World Cup and he's neck-and-neck with Mako Vunipola."

Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#SECOND-ROW:

Lock: Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Ollie Chessum, Joe Launchbury

Brown wrote: "I think Joe Launchbury will come in when he's fit and Ollie Chessum's is on a real upward trajectory."

Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#BACK-ROW:

Flanker: Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes (cover lock),Lewis Ludlam
Number 8: Billy Vunipola, Alex Dombrandt

Brown wrote: "This is probably where England have the most depth. Billy Vunipola suits the way England play. He has been behind Sam Underhill and Alex Dombrandt but the jersey is his to lose. It's tough to see Sam Simmonds getting in the squad when all three are fit."

Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#HALFBACKS:

Scrum-halves: JVP, Ben Youngs, Raffi Quirke
Fly-half: Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell (cover 12).

Brown wrote: "No one is getting in over Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell. It was really tough to see Danny Care hooked in the first half. He's a world-class player and I hope he bounces back, but it has given Ben Youngs the edge."

Ben Youngs of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship, 127th Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 6 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#CENTRES:

Centre: Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant (cover wing), Guy Porter

Brown wrote: "Henry Slade will come back but he works better outside Tuilagi than Farrell. The jury is still out on Guy Porter but he allows others to shine."

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#BACK-THREE:

Speedsters: Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Henry Arundel

Brown wrote: Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell and Tommy Freeman are my starting back-three. Anthony Watson will push his way back in. Henry Arundell has the stardust too.

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

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