England Rugby 33-man World Cup squad confirmed: Who is in? Who is out?
A trio of Bristol Bears have been named in England's 33-player squad to compete at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Bristol look set to provide both of the national side's starting props with loosehead Ellis Genge and tighthead Kyle Sinckler both getting called up as expected. Genge captained England for a second time on Saturday as they lost 20-9 against Wales in the first of four warm-up games ahead of the tournament and has been named as a vice-captain heading out to France along with Northampton's Courtney Lawes, with Saracens star Owen Farrell leading the squad.
Full-back and winger Max Malins, who has swapped Saracens for the Bears this summer, has also been selected as expected. However, head coach Steve Borthwick's squad is not without surprises with 56-cap Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade missing out, while the injured Billy Vunipola has been selected as the only specialist number eight in the squad with Alex Dombrandt not making the cut.
Other big-name casualties include England's second all-time highest try-scorer Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga who both played at the 2019 World Cup.
Borthwick's selection means Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby and Newcastle Falcons don't have any representation in the squad, with 2023 Premiership champions Saracens having the most players with eight, one more than the England head coach's former club side Leicester Tigers.
Borthwick said: “Rugby World Cups involve unique challenges in terms of the demands on players, the need for squad flexibility and the limited number of squad places available,” said Borthwick.
“France 2023 is no different, but I am confident we have selected a squad of 33 that is well able to meet those challenges and leave us best placed to be at our most competitive in this exciting tournament.
“There have been a number of very difficult selection decisions to make, given the quality of our wider training squad. Some very good players have missed out on selection such has been the competition for places over the last eight weeks and more of preparation.
“As Saturday’s game in Cardiff proved, we have a series of demanding Test matches through August as we continue that preparation towards our opening Rugby World Cup pool game against an in-form Argentina side.”
On announcing his squad in early August, Borthwick added: “We believe that announcing the squad a little earlier than otherwise might have been the case, brings a clarity and certainty to the group, allowing the players as much time as possible to settle and develop as a squad.”
England Rugby's official 33-player squad
Forwards (19)Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 100 caps)***Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 45 caps)*Theo Dan (Saracens, 1 cap)Ben Earl (Saracens, 15 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)*
Jamie George (Saracens, 77 caps)**Maro Itoje (Saracens, 67 caps)*Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps)***Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 20 caps)*Joe Marler (Harlequins, 79 caps)**George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)David Ribbans (Toulon, 6 caps)Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)*Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 68 caps) **Jack Walker (Harlequins, 3 caps)Jack Willis (Toulouse, 10 caps)
Backs (14)Henry Arundell (Racing 92, 7 caps)Danny Care (Harlequins, 88 caps)*Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)*Owen Farrell (Saracens, 106 caps)**George Ford (Sale Sharks, 82 caps)**Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 19 caps)Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 16 caps)Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 22 caps)Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 51 caps)**Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)Anthony Watson (unattached, 55 caps)**
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)***
(* represent the number of World Cup's attended)
Players to miss out
Henry Slade - Exeter Chiefs
Mako Vunipola (injury) - Saracens
Jamie Blamire - Newcastle Falcons
Jonny May - Gloucester Rugby
Cadan Murley - Harlequins
Joe Cokanasiga - Bath Rugby
Tom Willis - Saracens
Tom Pearson - Northampton Saints
Guy Porter - Leicester Tigers
Jonny Hill - Sale Sharks
England's World Cup warm-up fixtures
Saturday 12 August, kick off 17.30 BST - England v Wales (Twickenham Stadium, London)
Saturday 19 August, kick off 17.30 BST - Ireland v England (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Saturday 26 August, kick off 15.15 BST - England v Wales (Twickenham Stadium, London)
England's World Cup pool stage fixtures
Saturday 9 September, kick off 2000 BST – England v Argentina (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
Sunday 17 September, kick off 2000 BST – England v Japan (Stade de Nice, Nice)
Saturday 23 September, kick off 1645 BST – England v Chile (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
Saturday 7 October, kick off 1645 BST – England v Samoa (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
