"Another Vunipola" - Predicting England's 2027 Rugby World Cup Squad

A re-building process could then soon follow, with many of England's current veteran players stepping aside to make way for the next generation. We are just two weeks away from beginning the next four-year cycle for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with plenty of promising England talents hopeful for their inclusion in the squad for Australia.

There is a long way to go before England head out 'down under' for the competition, however we decided to give it our best shot at predicting the squad. We surveyed the landscape for England's most promising talents that are on the international fringes, and picked out the current stars who will return to the Rugby World Cup in four years time.

Here are our predictions for the 33-man England squad and wider training group, for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Freddie Steward looks to be England's best out-and-out option at fullback, and the Leicester Tigers man is only 22-years-old. He will be in his prime playing years for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and is the dead-set choice to wear the number 15 jersey, having already ran-out star-making performances in France.

Despite currently being on the books of Parisian club Racing 92 after the collapse of London Irish, the England door remains open to Henry Arundell, with heavy speculation of his return to the Premiership. Five tries in his only Rugby World Cup appearance to date, 20-year-old Arundell is a special talent that England fans are excited to see progress into an international mainstay.

Cut down by injuries in the prime of his career, Anthony Watson was unfortunate to miss out on the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad after being initially named in the 33-man group. Watson sustained a calf injury in the World Cup Warm-Up defeat to Ireland, with Jonny May taking his place in the trip to France. Watson will be 33-years-old for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and if he avoids further injuries, would likely slot in along the back-three in Australia.

One of the Premiership's top midfield talents, Guy Porter looks set for an extended England run, as he already has six international caps to his name. Porter was amongst Borthwick's wider training group for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but was cut following the first Summer Series match against Wales. With Joe Marchant heading to Paris with a move to Stade Francais, don't be surprised to see Porter get reps in the England centres, as soon as the 2024 Six Nations.

The understudy to Manu Tuilagi is getting ready to step into the spotlight, as the Sale Sharks centre is approaching the end of his international career at 32-years-old. It has been a turbulent past couple of years for Lawrence, as he was left without a club following the financial collapse of Worcester Warriors. However, the midfielder is going from strength to strength, and was amongst the best England players in the 2023 Six Nations.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup looks primed to be Marcus Smith's time to shine. Converted to fullback for the trip to France, with Owen Farrell and George Ford preferred as the fly-half options, however, Smith could the lead in the 10 jersey for Australia '27. Ford and Farrell are expected to be watching on in support, following their international retirements in the coming few years. 28-year-old Smith will likely be a two-time British & Irish Lion by 2027, with the added experience of the 2025 Tour to Australia moulding him into a true leader of men.

Dealt a cruel blow just weeks before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Jack van Poortvliet was side-lined by a brutal ankle injury. The Leicester Tigers man was gearing up to be Borthwick's starting nine in France, and will now likely enter a power struggle for the jersey after the strong World Cup performances of Alex Mitchell. However, in four years time, we can see a 26-year-old JVP running out as starting scrum-half in Australia.

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears) (Captain)

Genge has been one of England top performers at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and will be 32-years-old by the time the 2027 Rugby World Cup rolls around. Genge has already experienced leadership roles in a brief spell as England captain, and we can the Bristol Bears prop taking the armband for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. With Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes looking towards the end of their international careers, it will be time for the Baby Rhino to lead the charge.

The understudy to Jamie George for club and country, the young Saracen could well elapse his mentor by the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Dan will be 26 by the time England head to Australia, and looks primed to take over the number two jersey from his Saracens teammate. George will be 37 at the next Rugby World Cup, with his experienced role set to resemble that of Dan Cole at the current competition.

Throughout the past 12 months, Will Stuart has emerged as a serious contender to be England's leading tight-head prop. An exceptional run in the 2023 Six Nations put Kyle Sinckler on notice, with the Bristol Bears prop dropped to the bench having been a previous mainstay as England's number three. Borthwick's re-calling of Dan Cole pushed Stuart down the pecking order for the World Cup, but a 31-year-old Stuart could take the lead in four years time.

Maro Itoje hit his revered top gear in France, yet despite his best efforts the Saracen will have to wait four more years for another shot at the Web Ellis trophy. Itoje will enter the 2027 Rugby World Cup as a 32-year-old, with plenty more to give in the engine room of the scrum. In what on paper looks like his last shot to win the World Cup, Itoje could also defy the odds with his freakish fitness, and even run out at the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States.

Breaking onto the England scene in the tail-end of the Eddie Jones era, Chessum has plied his trade in the row and formed a nice partnership with Maro Itoje during the latest Six Nations. Arguably England's most consistent performer at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Chessum played in every match of the competition, and only dropped to the bench for the semi-final loss to South Africa. In four years time, Chessum and Itoje's partnership could well resemble the Whitelock-Retallick duo of their era.

Before Borthwick named Courtney Lawes as an out-and-out blindside flanker for the Rugby World Cup, Lewis Ludlam was the leading option to wear England's number six jersey in France. The Northampton Saints man has presented his versatility with a start at number eight, but it's on the blindside flank where he shines brightest. With Lawes expected to step down, Ludlam looks like the foregone pick for 2027.

Ben Earl has had a coming of age Rugby World Cup tournament, with his stock rising after each stand-out performance in France. Here's hoping that Earl presses on, and continues on this upward trajectory to again be one of England's leading men in Australia. The Saracen has shone on the open-side flank and at number eight this year, with our predictions landing him back in his experienced seven jersey.

One of the hottest young prospects set to explode onto the international scene, remember the name of Bath's bruising number eight Alfie Barbeary. The 23-year-old has a bright future ahead of him in an England jersey, with Billy Vunipola steadily making his way to England's edges. Come 2027, Barbeary should be well within the conversation to pack down the back of the scrum in Australia.

Looking like the next big thing to come out of the England U18s, Kepu Tuipulotu has garnered a great deal of recent attention for the age group. With an explosive first step, pace to burn and a poweful carry into contact, the England U18s captain has also the traits of a ball-carrying forward. He also has an excellent dart from the line-out and hooks proficiently at scrum-time. Certainly one for the future, with eligibility for both England and Wales.

Picked for the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a supporting role to Ellis Genge and Joe Marler, Rodd looks set to move up the pecking order after the Harlequin hangs up his international boots. The 23-year-old is on the right track to be involved for the 2027 trip 'Down Under', with his sole World Cup cap so far coming in a start against Chile.

The Bristol Bears man remains amongst England's leading tight-head props, however as previously mentioned, we can see Will Stuart taking the lead in Australia 2027. Sinckler will be entering the latter stages of his career in four years time, as he will be 34, and can offer an experienced voice in the changing rooms ahead of high-stakes matches.

It was a tough call as to whether George Martin will start or be on the bench, for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. For now, we've gone with the Itoje-Chessum lock partnership, with Martin given four years to prove himself. Martin could well establish a all-Leicester second row with Ollie Chessum, however there is no denying Itoje's talents, with it looking more likely to see the two Tigers battle for the number five jersey.

Curry has been the resident 'bad boy' of England's Rugby World Cup campaign, with his first round red card keeping him out of action for the majority of the pool stage. Curry was frequently seen busted open on his return to action, as his fearlessness and aggression knows no bounds. He looks set for another World Cup run in four years time, but may have to play second-string behind Earl and Barbeary if the two progress as predicted.

Alex Mitchell was initially dropped by Borthwick, but was given a late re-calling to the England squad for the Rugby World Cup following Jack van Poortvliet's injury. This delighted England supporters, as did Borthwick's unexpected call to make Mitchell his leading nine for the competition. Fast-tracked ahead of Care and Youngs, Mitchell will now battle it out with JVP to take the nine jersey to Australia in four years time.

An exhilarating young fly-half who is learning from the best at Saracens. Manu Vunipola has been steadily making a name for himself, as Mark McCall's go-to number 10 in the absence of Owen Farrell. The cousin to Billy and Mako, Manu Vunipola is just 23-years-old and has already become a starring name at the Stone X Stadium. He is following the rapid trajectory of one Marcus Smith, and could well support the Harlequin in England's new era.

After his inclusion throughout the 2023 Six Nations, Ollie Hassell-Collins was left out of the squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and began steadily chipping away at his new Premiership club Leicester Tigers. The former London Irish man is a powerhouse left-winger, with a bright future in an England jersey as the likes of Elliot Daly and Jonny May enter the twilights of their career.

Previously of Wasps and Leicester Tigers, Tom West is a loose-head prop that could well bolster the England squad come 2027. Currently uncapped for England, the 27-year-old could make a name for himself with Borthwick looking to replace the likes of Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola. One of the Premiership's leading English loose-heads, West could well make his England debut in 2024.

A prospect of the Leicester Tigers Academy, Tim Hoyt has been gaining valuable first team minutes at Championship side Nottingham since 2021. Steadily progressing with each passing match, Hoyt has emerged into the Tigers front-row, and gained key game-time in the Premiership Rugby Cup. More Tigers game-time is on Hoyt's radar, with Dan Cole set to pass the torch. The current first choice tight-head in the England U20s, Hoyt is a name for the future that could well get the nod for Australia at 24-years-old.

The Saracens stalwart could head to the 2027 Rugby World Cup at 37-years-old, and will be the oldest player in the England squad. Following on from Dan Cole, who was oldest player in the trip to France, George would present an experienced head in the England camp for his fourth Rugby World Cup campaign. In our eyes, George would take a back-seat to Theo Dan in four years time, but is on hand to provide a veteran's contribution in the front row.

With David Ribbans off to Toulon for the foreseeable future, the ex-Northampton Saints lock looks out of contention for Borthwick's England squad for now. This has opened up a slot for Tom Pearson, with the Leicester Tigers back-row set to add depth to the England loose-forwards group. Given his England debut in the Summer, the former London Irish man was let go for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and has four years at Welford Road to get back on Borthwick's books.

Another player like Van Poortvliet and Watson, who suffered an unfortunate injury in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup. Sale captain Ben Curry was hit by a brutal hamstring injury, that ruled him out of the 2023 Premiership Final, as well as any international hopes. One of England's top blindside flankers, Curry is a player on the England fringes that will step up once Courtney Lawes steps down.

Tom Willis has four years in the Premiership to reach the top of his game, and work his way into a re-occurring role in the England squad. Like his brother Jack, Tom Willis headed to France after the collapse of Wasps, with a year-long deal at Bordeaux. However, unlike his sibling, Willis has returned to England with his move to Saracens, whilst Jack remains in Toulouse with his England future up in the air. The next-in-line to Billy Vunipola for club and quite possibly country, Willis is out to make his mark.

The forgotten England scrum half, Harry Randall has been making waves in the Premiership with his unmatched speed. Their were pockets calling for his inclusion after the untimely injury to Jack van Poortvliet, however Danny Care, Alex Mitchell and Ben Youngs was Borthwick's choice for a halfback trio. Randall could well get the call-up, with time expected to come up on Care and Youngs' time in an England jersey.

It is a tough take, but there was little expectation on Fin Smith to make England's World Cup squad when Borthwick named him in his wider training group for the Summer. Pushed out with Farrell and Ford understandably getting the nod, 21-year-old Smith gained key experience in the England camp, but was let go just like his fly-half namesake was, four years ago before the trip to Japan. Fin will support Marcus in the England camp, and battle with Manu Vunipola for a spot on the England bench in 2027.

Amongst the fastest players in the Premiership, England fans have long been calling for Adam Radwan's international recognition. In four years time, Radwan may well work his way into the squad, to represent his beloved Newcastle Falcons on the World Cup stage. With Jonny May a potential candidate to miss the trip to Australia from an age perspective, Radwan could well slot in to the mix for a supporting role.

Tommy Freeman would be the answer to Elliot Daly's absence, should the Saracen not be picked for the 2027 trip to Australia. Freeman truly is Mr. Versatile, and like Daly, the Northampton Saints man is comfortable to occupy either wing, fullback and in the centres. Freeman would be a valuable 'utility back' for the England team, that can cover an array of positions across the pitch.

Despite not making it into the 33-man squad for the competition, here is our predictions for the stand-bye list that could be called into action as injury cover. These players will have to keep themselves free for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with injuries expected to take place in the arduous competition. These 10 players are our picks for the wider training group, for late additions to the squad.

34. Val Rapava-Ruskin (Loose-Head Prop - Gloucester)

35. Jack Walker (Hooker - Harlequins)

36. Marcus Street (Tight-Head Prop - Exeter Chiefs)

37. Hugh Tizard (Lock - Saracens)

39. Sam Maunder (Scrum Half - Exeter Chiefs)

41. Elliot Daly (Centre - Saracens)