Borthwick names England #RWC squad
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Steve Borthwick has confirmed his official 33-player squad for the 2023 World Cup in France next month.
Owen Farrell will captain England in his third World Cup with Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes named as vice captains.
The squad of 33 players – which is made up of 19 forwards and 14 backs – totals over 1,400 England appearances combined, with an average age of 27 years old.
Henry Slade was the shock omission.
The Exeter centre was part of England's run to the final four years ago and had appeared in 30 of the last 37 Tests.
However, he has missed out to Joe Marchant, who impressed despite a disappointing 20-9 defeat to Wales on Saturday.
Seventeen players have previous World Cup experience.
Ben Youngs, Dan Cole, and Courtney Lawes will compete in their fourth World Cup.
Youngs is England men’s most capped player with 122 appearances.
Theo Dan is included having won his first cap against Wales on Saturday in Cardiff. 20-year-old wing Henry Arundell is the youngest member of the squad.
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"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 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 clarity and certainty to the group, allowing the players as much time as possible to settle and develop as a squad."
England faces Wales (August 12), Ireland (August 19) and Fiji (August 26) in warm-up fixtures, before the World Cup starts.
"We look forward to welcoming Wales to Twickenham this weekend in front of our home support," Borthwick said.
"There can be no doubt that it will be another hard-fought encounter."
England begins their World Cup campaign in France against Argentina in Marseille (Saturday, September 9) - before playing Japan in Nice (Sunday, September 17), Chile in Lille (Saturday, September 23) and Samoa in Lille (Saturday, October 7).
England World Cup squad
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
ENGLAND POOL GAMES
Saturday, September 9: England v Argentina (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille - Kick-off: 20.00 BST)
Sunday, September 17: England v Japan (Stade de Nice, Nice - Kick-off: 20.00 BST)
Saturday, September 23: England v Chile (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille - Kick-off: 16.45 BST)
Saturday, October 7: England v Samoa (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille - Kick-off: 16.45 BST )