The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off this September, and there are just a few international test matches left for these five England wildcards to book their spot on the plane to France.
In a series of Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, Steve Borthwick’s side take on Wales twice, alternating between Cardiff and Twickenham. England then head back to Dublin, to take on Ireland for the first time since Andy Farrell’s side secured the Grand Slam against them.
The last stop on the road is then Fiji, who have a squad decorated with Northern and Southern hemisphere stars. The flying Fijians could well prove to be a speedbump in the road, before England head out to France and get to work in Pool D.
Squad depth will be key for Borthwick during the Summer, and he will look to call up some fringe players for last-chance run outs before the World Cup. Here are five such players hoping to make a last minute impact, and secure a late spot for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
1. Ruan Ackerman
Reports have begun to circulate that Gloucester back-rower Ruan Ackermann could be set for a call up to the England squad. Gloucester Rugby Head Coach George Skivington has reportedly been in conversation with Steve Borthwick, regarding Ackermann’s selection for the Rugby World Cup, despite Ackermann’s injury concerns.
The 27-year-old is set to undergo knee surgery, following his injury he suffered against La Rochelle, in Gloucester’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 defeat. La Rochelle prop Georges-Henri Colombe only received a yellow card for his illegal clear out on Ackermann, yet has since been cited for a four match ban.
George Skivington has discussed Ackermann’s injury situation, and how the South African-born star is hopeful for an England call-up when he returns from injury, ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Ackermann is eligible to play for England through residency, having been a mainstay at Kingsholm Stadium since joining in 2017.
“Ironically, on the Monday after La Rochelle, I had a long talk with Steve Borthwick about Ruan. He is in the England conversation and his form and work he has put in is the reason for that.
“Ruan does need surgery, but the scans showed it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and the knee has to settle down. It was that 150kg guy (Georges-Henri Colombe) rolling through his knee.
“And that would have finished most of us off. We won’t see him again this season, but we have our fingers crossed that the recovery won’t be a long slog, like we have had with numerous other players.”