Back in 2015, the Rugby World Magazine gazed into their crystal ball and lodged their prediction as to which promising youngsters would go on to make up the future England team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup…
The results? A good effort but a few head-scratchers. Indeed, a few players play regular for England but Matt Protheroe has struggled for fitness with Championship side Bristol, making his chance of a call-up unlikely.
Normally we wouldn’t be so sniffy about predictions as viewed in glorious 20-20 hindsight (Christ knows we’ve cocked up enough of our own over the years!) but it's always funny to take a trip back in time...
Rugby World's 2019 England XV:
Fullback: Matt Protheroe
Winger: Anthony Watson
Centre: Manu Tuilagi
Centre: Henry Slade
Winger: Jack Nowell
Fly-half: George Ford
Scrum-half: Ben Youngs
Prop: Joe Marler
Hooker: Jamie George
Prop: Paul Hill
Lock: Joe Launchbury
Lock: Maro Itoje (Captain)
Flanker: Dave Ewers
Flanker: Jack Clifford
Number 8: Billy Vunipola
Read the full article, which includes their full 23, HERE!
