Will Greenwood names five players England must start the 2023 Rugby World Cup with

Wednesday, 26 October 2022 at 14:40

byRugby Rucker

England legend Will Greenwood has singled out five England players as 'key cogs' for Eddie Jones men heading into the Autumn prior to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, the 2003 World Cup-winning centre believes only five players are guaranteed starters with plenty of competition for places.

Greenwood, who won the last of 55 England caps against Australia in 2004, scored 31 tries for England including five in their World Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament's joint top try-scorer.

He has since become one of the most respected pundits in the game, operating as the top pundit for Sky Sports while also writing his column for The Telegraph.

Find out who he thinks ‘must start for England below:

#1. Maro Itoje (Saracens)

Age: 27
Position: Lock

Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Greenwood wrote: "Leads in so many ways, even without the armband. Tip of the spear so often for England. Dragging us through quiet moments. Bringing the heat. Defensive superpower at mauls, lineouts, breakdowns.

"He really is a force of nature. I do not believe him to lack discipline - he does not start games intending to give penalties away.

"The action moves so fast, and he is on top of it incessantly so may well find himself on the wrong side of a couple of decisions quickly.

"Maybe there are moments when he could learn to be present and effective but not push the boundaries but it is such a fine line. Huge player for England in the next 18 months."

Fast Maro Itoje Facts:

His full name is much more of a mouthful. The lock was born Oghenemaro Miles Itoje
As a schoolboy, Itoje played several sports including basketball, football, rugby and athletics, representing England at U17 level in shot put.
He is the cousin of Bath's loosehead prop Beno Obano and Gloucester winger Ollie Thorley

#2. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

Age: 21
Position: Fullback

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

Greenwood wrote: "Not often a kid so young and with so few caps is close to the first name down on the team sheet. I may have a few disgruntled readers about certain elements of my selection but I suspect it is a slam dunk with Steward.

"Total control of the skies creates calm. Hugely critical to send that message to the team. Allows players to focus on their own jobs, stay in shape. Not worried about what may happen.

"Steward kills those thoughts stone dead. No need for daft blocking lines that concede pens as Steward doesn’t need that sort of help; his leap and coordination are so clean.

"A real attacking threat going forward by eating up the ground with a giant stride length. Tough and not inconsiderable bulk to muscle over from close range either. Always nice to build from the back. This lad is here to stay."

Fast Freddie Steward Facts:

He moved positions many times throughout his rugby career, telling Rugby World: “I started at fly-half, then inside-centre. Then at 15 I moved to full-back; the academy coaches thought it would be a good idea to see how I went there.
Steward is studying for an economics degree at Loughborough University
Steward listens to 1980s music before a game to calm himself down.

#3. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)

Age: 24
Position: Flanker, Number 8

Tom Curry of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 13 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK

Greenwood wrote: "An absolute nuisance - the ultimate compliment for any openside. Fearless but with technique that keeps him relatively safe and away from the treatment table.

"With that level of commitment his work ethic away from the pitch to get himself ready and in good nick must be relentless.

"So compact and powerful over the ball at the breakdown. More comfortable as a runner in open space than he was and starting to show everyone a decent pair of heels. Smacks things - and people - who have the ball. Makes things happen when his team has it."

Fast Tom Curry Facts:

He, along with his twin brother Ben, is the son of Bishop Heber High School Head Teacher David Curry and nephew of former England hooker John Olver
lIt is true that the brothers had a trial at Manchester City, who the twins support, but that was scuppered by Tom scoring a spectacular own goal. Probably for the best in the end.
The easiest way you can tell Ben and Rom them apart is by their hair. Tom has his styled to the right while Ben has his swept to the left.

#4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Age: 33
Position: Lock, Flanker

Courtney Lawes, Captain of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Greenwood wrote: "Getting better and better with age. High levels of performance are a given now. He really doesn’t deviate below an eight out of 10.

The old moniker of enforcer does not do his rugby justice any more. He is an all-court, ball-handling six. Back-door offloads come easy to him now. And when he hunts you down, he rarely misses.

"Cracking at breakdowns. Been a joy watching him get better and better with age."

Fast Courtney Lawes Facts:

He has featured for England in ten successive Six Nations campaigns
Lawes didn’t receive an email checking his availability for the British & Irish Lions 2021 tour because it was sent to an old email address.
Lawes and wife Jessica have four children – Nell, Teddy, and twin boys Otto and Hugo

#5. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

Age: 29
Position: Tighthead-prop

Kyle Sinckler of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 10 September. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Greenwood wrote: "Kyle has had his ups and downs. His fire is still present, but he seems much calmer around big moments.

"Disappointments are part of life, and he seems far more sanguine about things. Certainly, his Instagram posts suggest an inner peace. By some distance our best front-line distributor of all the tightheads and when England play at pace he can make sure the ball sees the light rather than heading back under bodies."

Fast Kyle Sinckler Facts:

He was scouted by Collin Osborne, then Harlequins Academy manager, when playing at full-back/centre for Battersea
His nicknames include ‘Sinck’ and ‘Kitchen’.
Outside of rugby, he has set up his own property company as a way to plan for the future

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