England hopeful Marcus Smith showed head coach Steve Borthwick his attacking credentials to set up a wonder try in training.
The fly-half needed to impress after George Ford was called up to the 36-man England training squad for Saturday's Six Nations showdown with Wales in Cardiff yesterday.
Ford last played for England in March 2022 but recently returned from a long-standing Achilles injury.
However, Smith made an incredible break, sending Maro Itoje to the cleaners, before passing to Ben Earl, who put through the perfect grubber kick.
Marcus Smith wonder try:
How 2019 prediction for England’s 2023 starting XV has turned out
Steve Borthwick has named his England squad for the 2023 Six Nations, with six players tipped for greatness four years ago currently out of the frame for inclusion
Jacob Whitehead from Rugby World attempted to look into his crystal ball to pick an England team for the next showpiece in France following the competition in Japan.
Here, RUCK takes a look at England's predicted XV for the France World Cup in 219.
Rugby World’s 2019 England XV:
Fullback: Josh Hodge - "An accomplished goalkicker whose counter-attacking runs will make the most geriatric supporter stand from their seat."
Likelihood: Still uncapped and some way off a call-up
Winger: Joe Cokanasiga - "In four years he will be a frightening prospect, as his aerial and defensive skills improve to match his bulldozing attacking flair."
Likelihood: Out of favour under Steve Borthwick
Joe Cokanasiga of England waves in the direction of the crowd following the Guinness Six Nations Round Four match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 9th March 2019. Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
Centre: Henry Slade - "The second distributor in this England side, Slade will be one of the team’s leaders in 2023."
Likelihood: Almost nailed on if fit
Centre: Ollie Lawrence - "Capable of marrying the power of Tuilagi with the shiftiness of a Jonathan Joseph, he should make opposition defences afraid."
Likelihood: Started against Italy and looks like he could be a Borthwick regular
Winger: Anthony Watson - " It feels as if he’s been around for a decade, but Watson has still not peaked."
Likelihood: In the mix, but has a lot of competition for selection
Fly-half: Owen Farrell - "Farrell will be 32 in 2023, but it would be a shock if he wasn’t England’s elder statesman in the next tournament."
Likelihood: Nailed on, next.
Owen Farrell, Captain of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Scrum-half: Harry Randall - "A jet-heeled jinker whose kicking game is rapidly improving, Randall stepped up to Premiership rugby with ease last season and expect him to kick on more this term."
Likelihood: Rediscovering his best form with Bristol, but is some way down the pecking order right now
Prop: Ellis Genge - "Imagine how good he could be in four years, learning scrummaging from Joe Marler and picking up a few handling tricks from Mako Vunipola."
Likelihood: Entire front-row looks spot on
Hooker: Jamie George - "Such is his form at the moment, it is hard to see any player surpassing him for the starting jersey."
Prop: Kyle Sinckler - "His battle with Tadhg Furlong for the tighthead shirt on the 2021 Lions tour will be one to watch."
Lock: Maro Itoje - "Saracens and England will need to manage his workload to ensure this generational talent will arrive at the peak of his powers."
Likelihood: Nailed on
Woodward wants Maro Itoje back in the second-row
Lock: Joel Kpoku - "An incredibly hard-hitting carrier in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, a selection in the coming months would not be surprising."
Likelihood: Not even available as he's playing in France
Flanker: Tom Curry - "Nominated for World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in the same year as his international breakthrough, the fairytale story should continue for Curry."
Likelihood: Position in doubt for the first time in his international career, but should make the squad
Flanker: Sam Underhill - "If his tough tackling does not lead to injury, expect to see the Curry-Underhill combination in France."
Likelihood: Out of favour, but at his best could still be valuable
Number 8: Billy Vunipola - "With the spirit of optimism, and the example of Duane Vermeulen, who won a World Cup at 33, we’ll say he’ll make it – with Bath’s Zach Mercer an heir to develop in the interim."
Likelihood: Not fancied by Borthwick
