England head coach Eddie Jones has promised change moving forward as he continues his preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“If we kept the squad we had now, we’d be too old for the World Cup. There is a certain profile of around 28 years of age for a World Cup-winning side,” Jones said.
“We have been bringing that down slowly over the last two years and we need to keep accelerating that because the more senior guys keep getting older.
“It’s about getting the balance right in the squad between what we have in terms of very good players and 11 good enough to play for the Lions, so they are pretty good players and if they keep their desire and form there is no reason why those guys can’t go to the World Cup.
“All of those guys are probably 25 and above as a general point, so we want to bring some younger guys in with energy, risklessness (sic) and desire that will lift the team higher and higher.”
Below we take a look at three seasoned internationals who may have played their final game for England.
#1. Jonny May
Bad luck meant that the winger, who suffered an injury ravaged season with Gloucester, failed to play a single minute as England secured a 2-1 series against the Wallabies down under. Unfortunately, it is starting to look like May is on the downward slide after reaching his peak around 2018.
Replacement: Adams Radwan (Newcastle Falcons), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Henry Arundell (London Irish)
