Steve Borthwick’s choice to reveal his World Cup squad ahead of time seems to have had unintended consequences, as several of his chosen players are encountering difficulties.
Just last Monday, the head coach of the England team finalised his list of 33 squad members, a whole three weeks prior to the official deadline.
Nevertheless, this early announcement leaves room for potential alterations, whether brought about by injuries or a decline in performance.
Outlined below are three players we believe should be considered as additions to the England squad.
#1. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
On Saturday, van Poortvliet added his 14th Test cap to his record for England and seemed poised to make his debut in a World Cup.
The 22-year-old player from Leicester Tigers was selected as part of Steve Borthwick’s 33-man squad for the Rugby World Cup.
However, his participation hangs in the balance due to an incident that occurred in the 32nd minute, resulting in him needing assistance to leave the field.
While England does have seasoned options available, such as Ben Youngs and Danny Care, both of whom are also part of Borthwick’s World Cup squad, Van Poortvliet has been a consistent presence in the team as of late.
It’s understood that Alex Mitchell, a standout player from Northampton Saints, has been designated as the reserve scrum-half and would likely step in if needed, following Borthwick’s decision.
Mitchell was one of the star performers during the 2022/23 Premiership season. Displaying an impressive equilibrium in his style of play, he would serve as the perfect replacement.