Rumours suggest that England's preliminary 55-man Rugby World Cup squad will include Tom Pearson, an uncapped player from London Irish, as well as Zach Mercer, a number 8 from Montpellier, and Manu Tuilagi, an ace from Sale Sharks.
However, it is even more intriguing that several big names have reportedly been left out by Steve Borthwick, which severely diminishes their chances of making the final team for the tournament in September.
The England coach is expected to announce his training squad within the next few weeks in preparation for their four warm-up games.
Below are five players who have allegedly been snubbed.
#1. Joe Marler
Marler violated one of Steve Borthwick’s primary rules earlier this year, which is the "no sh**talking policy" for the England team.
Consequently, despite his impressive performance with Harlequins this season, he was excluded from the Six Nations squad.
Recently, Marler received a six-week ban (with four weeks suspended) for making inappropriate remarks about Bristol flanker Jake Heenan's mother.
As he approaches his mid-30s, the possibility of Marler returning to international play appears increasingly improbable.
Joe Marler of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#2. Jonny May
After a difficult summer with the England team, May has had a poor season in the Premiership, only managing to score four tries in 20 appearances across all competitions.
Despite being a crucial member of Eddie Jones' England squad and the second-highest try scorer for his country, with only Rory Underwood ahead of him, May's international career appears to be in jeopardy with the emergence of new talent like Henry Arundell, Tommy Freeman, Cadan Murley, Ollie Hassell-Collins, and Adam Radwan.
At 33 years old, it seems like May's time at the international level may be coming to an end.
Jonny May of Gloucester Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins at Kingsholm on 17 February. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Jack Nowell
With a move to France pending, the Exeter Chiefs flier went from vice-captain in the Autumn to being completely out of the squad for the Six Nations, reportedly without a phone call.
Brutal from Steve Borthwick, who is reportedly being heavily influenced by RFU chiefs according to Eddie Jones.
Yesterday, any chance of a recall seemed to go out the window as Nowell was fined £10,000 by the Rugby Football Union for criticising a refereeing decision on Twitter.
The 30-year-old accepted his post prejudiced the game when appearing in front of an independent disciplinary panel on Wednesday.
He has to undertake a referees’ course, with the fine being donated to charity.
Nowell said referee Karl Dickson’s decision to show Woodburn his second yellow card was “one of the worst decisions” he had ever seen.
Jack Nowell, Captain of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground on 26 March 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#4. Billy Vunipola
Billy Vunipola of Saracens on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Despite having not featured in Steve Borthwick's plans since the former Leicester Tigers Head Coach took the reigns with England, Billy Vunipola is always a worthwhile asset for a squad to have during a long competition.
However, the Saracen's chances of an England return wore ever thinner after he suffered a knee injury in mid-April. In an eerily similar style to that of Jonny Gray, Vunipola was stretchered off the pitch, as he came down hard on his knee against La Rochelle, in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Vunipola has been confirmed to be written out of Mark McCall's plans for the rest of Saracens' season, with the powerhouse number-eight set to miss the 2023 Gallagher Premiership Play-Offs.
It was a sorry sight for Sarries fans, as their back-rower was forced into an early exit, during the first half of Saracens quarter-final defeat to the French flyers.
Billy Vunipola of England in possession ahead of Kazuki Himeno of Japan during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
Thankfully for Vunipola, it has been reported that after undergoing surgery, he should be fit ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
However, given Borthwick's early tendency to overlook the Number Eight, and an extended time on the side-line hindering Vunipola's match-fitness, it is becoming increasingly unlikely for Billy to make a Rugby World Cup return.
Yet as we know, injuries can happen at any time, and a Vunipola-sized reinforcement could well bolster a depleting squad in the latter stage of the competition.
#5. Jonny Hill
Despite being a favorite of Eddie Jones, the Sale Sharks lock is facing the possibility of being dropped from the England squad due to the emergence of Ollie Chessum from Leicester Tigers.
Regaining his place in the England team may prove difficult as David Ribbans from Northampton Saints is also performing well, and Hugh Tizard, who won the Saracens breakthrough player of the year award, has been recommended for a call-up.
As a fun fact, it's worth noting that Hill is related to Paul Loughlin, a former rugby league international.
