Owen Farrell has assumed the role of captain for England’s World Cup campaign.
The decision that was surprisingly unveiled by Steve Borthwick on Friday morning, well in advance of the tournament’s commencement, which is still over two months away.
In addition, Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes have been appointed as vice captains, signifying their significant roles within the team as they intensify their preparations for a series of warm-up matches scheduled for August.
Borthwick said: “I went and met Owen about 10 days ago. We spent two hours walking through fields outside Harpenden, talking about everything we wanted to do with this team. He’s a fantastic leader.”
You can the full training squad Borthwick picked this morning bu clicking here.
The England head coach will name his 33-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup on August 7. There are no further trims until then.
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PLAYERS LEFT OUT BY BORTHWICK
#1.Zach Mercer (Gloucester)
After making a return to the Premiership with Gloucester from Montpellier, there were high expectations for Mercer’s potential comeback to the England team. However, the decision to exclude Zach and opt for the inexperienced yet powerful Tom Willis surely comes as a significant blow to the former Bath number 8.
A number of fans couldn’t understand the decision with one writing: “On what planet is Dommers a better player? I just do not get it.”
A second commented: “Bet Zach Mercer is chuffed. Told to come home by Eddie Jones and when he does his replacement Steve Borthwick dumps him.”
Another said: “Sometimes it’s hard to get a grasp of who is missing etc in a big squad like that at first. But just seen Zach Mercer is out…..I can’t fathom this
#2. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
In a shocking turn of events, Northampton’s talented playmaker Mitchell has been omitted from the squad, despite making a series of impressive appearances for England during the 2023 Six Nations. Not only did Mitchell showcase his skills on the international stage, but he also proved to be one of the most consistent performers for the Saints. The decision to exclude him has undoubtedly raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
