“Sorry Danny” – Mike Brown picks his England World Cup squad with a year to go

#BACK-ROW:

Flanker: Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes (cover lock),Lewis Ludlam
Number 8: Billy Vunipola, Alex Dombrandt

Brown wrote: “This is probably where England have the most depth. Billy Vunipola suits the way England play. He has been behind Sam Underhill and Alex Dombrandt but the jersey is his to lose. It’s tough to see Sam Simmonds getting in the squad when all three are fit.”

Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#HALFBACKS:

Scrum-halves: JVP, Ben Youngs, Raffi Quirke
Fly-half: Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell (cover 12).

Brown wrote: “No one is getting in over Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell. It was really tough to see Danny Care hooked in the first half. He’s a world-class player and I hope he bounces back, but it has given Ben Youngs the edge.”

Ben Youngs of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship, 127th Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 6 2021. – PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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