Veteran scrum-half Danny Care is set to secure a spot in England's Six Nations squad, defying his age with a stellar performance for Harlequins.
Despite turning 37 on January 2, Care has showcased impressive form since his return from the World Cup, prompting discussions about a potential one-year contract extension with Quins.
The lively player's continued excellence could see him don the England jersey again, potentially influencing his decision to stay at The Stoop for another year.
England's starting No. 9 position currently belongs to Alex Mitchell from Northampton, who claimed the top spot during the World Cup.
Head coach Steve Borthwick is scheduled to unveil the squad on Wednesday, along with the announcement of the new captain.
Jamie George, the Saracens hooker, is the frontrunner for the captaincy, facing strong competition from Ellis Genge of Bristol, Saracens' Maro Itoje, and Sale's George Ford.
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England's likely squad for the 2024 Six Nations:
Former captain Owen Farrell shocked the rugby world by confirming his step down from the England team, with Borthwick now having to pass the armband on to a new player for the 2024 Six Nations. And to make the run-up to the competition all the more challenging, the England coaching staff will have to factor in the recent injuries to centre Manu Tuilagi and prop Joe Marler, in their selections.
Steve Borthwick, Head Coach of England Rugby during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium, London on 24 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
So, with such a changing landscape in the England squad we decided to have a go at predicting who Borthwick will name on his squad list. We have opted for a 36-man squad, to match the same numbers from the 2023 Six Nations when Borthwick first took over the helm. Here is RUCK's predictions for the England squad, for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.
PROPS
Ellis Genge of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
2. Fin Baxter (Harlequins)
3. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
4. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
5. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
6. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
HOOKERS
Jamie George of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
7. Jamie George (Saracens) (Captain)
8. Theo Dan (Saracens)
9. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
LOCKS
10. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
11. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
12. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
13. Rus Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
BACK ROW
14. Ben Earl (Saracens)
15. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
16. Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)
17. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
18. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
19. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
UTILITY FORWARD
George Martin of England (Leicester Tigers) skips the tackle of Zach Mercer of England (Montpellier Hrault Rugby) during the an England Rugby Training session at the Brighton College, Sussex on the 19th June 2023 - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
20. George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
SCRUM HALVES
Alex Mitchell of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Harlequins and Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium on 27 December 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
22. Danny Care (Harlequins)
23. Gus Warr (Sale Sharks)
FLY HALVES
George Ford of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 8 August 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)
24. George Ford (Sale Sharks)
25. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
26. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
CENTRES
Henry Slade of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 26 Jun 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)
27. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
28. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
29. Will Joseph (Harlequins)
30. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)
BACK THREE
Ollie Sleightholme of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on 11 June. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
31. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
32. Elliot Daly (Saracens)
33. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
34. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
35. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
UTILITY BACK
Tommy Freeman of England during the England Rugby Training camp at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park on 30 Jan. 2023 Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
36. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
INJURY REHAB
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
STAND-BYE PLAYERS (INJURY RESERVE)
Val Rapava-Ruskin of Gloucester Rugby before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Saracens and Gloucester Rugby at Stonex Stadium on 24 September. Photo: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
Loose-head Prop: Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby)
Tight-head Prop: Asher Opuku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
Hooker: Jack Walker (Harlequins)
Lock: Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Back Row: Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints)
Harry Randall of England stands with Sam Underhill of England during the International match between England and USA at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on July 4 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Scrum Half: Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)
Fly Half: Manu Vunipola (Saracens)
Centre: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)
Back Three: Arron Reed (Sale Sharks)
Back Three: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
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Can you name every country to ever feature at a Rugby World Cup?
Try to name all the international teams to ever participate in a men or women's Rugby World Cup.
Seeing as we’re nice people, we’ve given you 30 minutes to see, with the number of appearances each nation has made given as a clue.
