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Borthwick makes some brave RWC moves

By @rugby365com
Monday 12 Jun 2023

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has named a 28-player training squad for England’s first World Cup preparation camp at the England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park.

The squad, which does not include players from Premiership semifinalists, Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, and Saracens, assembled in Bagshot on Monday, June 12 as England begin their preparations for the 2023 World Cup in France which starts in early September.

The big talking point is the inclusion of Zach Mercer.

Mercer hasn’t featured for England since 2018.

Meanwhile, Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) and Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) will also attend the camp to continue their rehabilitation from injury.

“We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations,” said Borthwick.

“The World Cup is full of top-quality teams and high-quality players, and we’re relishing the challenge in front of us. That all starts today at Pennyhill Park.

“We have lots to get through before our first Series fixture in August against Wales in Cardiff, so the hard work starts now. We are looking forward to it.”

England’s August Series matches begin against Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, August 5, with a return fixture at Twickenham Stadium scheduled a week later on Saturday, August 12.

England then travel to Dublin to face Ireland at the Dublin Stadium on Saturday, August 19, before returning to Twickenham Stadium to play Fiji on Saturday, August 26.

Borthwick will announce his 33-player World Cup squad on Monday, August 7.

England 28-man squad: 

Forwards: Jamie Blamire, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Ted Hill, Joe Marler, Zach Mercer, Beno Obano, Tom Pearson, Val Rapava-Ruskin, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Jack Walker

Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Joe Cokanasiga, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Will Joseph, Ollie Lawrence, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Cadan Murley, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer

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