As we approach the crucial phase of the 2023/24 season, discussions abound regarding Steve Borthwick’s selection dilemmas for England’s summer tour.
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With fixtures against Japan and a long-awaited encounter with New Zealand, anticipation is high for an exhilarating series.
Both England and the All Blacks find themselves in transitional phases, bidding farewell to stalwarts post-World Cup. Moreover, New Zealand introduces a new head coach, Scott Robertson, eager to make his mark swiftly.
Fixture details are as follows:
- Japan vs. England, Saturday 22nd June, National Stadium (kick-off time to be confirmed)
- New Zealand vs. England, Saturday 6th July, Forsyth Barr Stadium (kick-off at 8:05 am BST)
- New Zealand vs. England, Saturday 13th July, Eden Park (kick-off at 8:05 am BST)
The discourse often centers on selecting players purely based on current form. Hence, we’ve crafted a full XV of England players excelling in the ongoing 2023-24 season, including several uncapped talents.
England’s best XV based entirely objectively on current form
15. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
14. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
1. Fin Baxter (Exeter Chiefs)
2. Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints)
3. Will Collier (Harlequins)
4. Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints)
6. Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons)
7. Will Evans (Harlequins)
8. Zach Mercer (Gloucester)
50 best British & Irish Lions of all-time (via The Guardian)
50. Robert Jones (Wales) – Scrum-half – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 73
49. Tom Smith (Scotland) – Prop – 1997, 2001 – P6 W3 D0 L3 – 75
48. Matt Dawson (England) – Scrum-half – 1997, 2001, 2005 – P7 W2 D0 L5 – 76
47. David Sole (Scotland) – Prop – 1989 – P3 W2 L1 – 90
46. Rhys Williams (Wales) – Lock – 1955, 1959 – P10 W5 L5 – 94
45. Neil Jenkins (Wales) – Fly-half – 1997, 2001 – P4 W2 D0 L2 – 99
44. Jason Robinson (England) – Fullback/Wing – 2001, 2005 – P5 W1 D0 L4 – 105
43. Roger Uttley (England) – Back row – 1974 – P4 W3 D1 L0 – 107
42. Bobby Windsor (Wales) – Hooker – 1974, 1977 – P5 W3 D1 L1 – 109
41. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – Fly-half – 2001, 2005 – P6 W1 D1 L4 – 110
40. Rob Andrew (England) – Fly-half – 1989, 1993 – P5 W3 D0 L2 – 110
39. Paul O’Connell (Ireland) – Lock – 2005, 2009 – P6 W1 D0 L5 – 114
38. Peter Wheeler (England) – Hooker – 1977, 1980 – P7 W2 L5 – 119
37. David Duckham (England) – Centre – 1971 – P3 W1 D1 L1 – 128
36. Jack Kyle (Ireland) – Fly-half – 1950 – P6 W2 D1 L3 – 147
35. Finlay Calder (Scotland) – Back row – 1989 – P3 W2 D0 L1 – 149