Bold claim first: English readers deserve a clear, engaging rewrite that preserves every fact and nuance without sacrificing flow or tone.
English Rewrite (expanded and clarified):
Already on the plane or still at home? Here’s how England’s Rugby World Cup squad is taking shape as the tournament nears. A little while ago, Steve Borthwick had a neatly organized 36-man group for the Six Nations, and his matchday 23 to face Wales in England’s championship opener followed the same pattern of predictability. Borthwick is a loyal coach who relies heavily on depth charts, and the considerable exodus of players to France after the last World Cup has made many tough calls feel more manageable. His apparent focus on tailoring the squad for the 2027 tournament is underscored by one notable decision: he declined to select Tom Willis, who is bound for Bordeaux, because Willis wouldn’t be available despite having earned an enhanced contract last summer.
Then came two heavy defeats and some startling performances, and the landscape shifted from settled to unsettled. The situation invites comparisons with the 2018 Six Nations when England also faltered, prompting Eddie Jones to drop several senior figures (Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Mike Brown, and Dylan Hartley) from their 2019 World Cup plans. There are also echoes of the 2023 World Cup warm-ups, where a number of players carved out shifts that moved them out of Borthwick’s thinking. In this piece, we explore which veterans now face pressure, who sits in the uncertain “maybe” pile, who has strengthened their case, and who could still emerge from surprise choices.
Bankers
Despite a clear decline in form, it seems almost certain that Maro Itoje will captain England at the 2027 World Cup. He will require careful management over the next years, but he remains the heartbeat of the team. In the second row, Ollie Chessum is among the few players with credible proof of performance across the three rounds so far. The back row is underperforming, yet Ben Earl’s high work rate keeps him in Borthwick’s good graces, while Henry Pollock’s energy is already highly valued by management and teammates. The defeats to Scotland and Ireland have boosted the standing of players who are currently injured, and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso now looks like one of England’s most important players. The scrum has held up well, and Will Stuart’s return will be welcomed, while Alex Mitchell could be cemented further as the first-choice scrum-half if his replacement against Italy and France falters. Ellis Genge has made some obvious errors and may be feeling the effects of a British & Irish Lions hangover, but his leadership remains a strong asset for the squad. Tommy Freeman, while not blameless, has not had enough help, and his reputation remains substantial.
Probables
If England are to rebound in their final two matches, Fin Smith is likely to be central to the turnaround. He endured a difficult first Lions tour but was a frontrunner a year ago and is viewed by Borthwick as the future of the side. This puts increasing pressure on George Ford’s position, though Ford’s role as an auxiliary coach within the squad should not be underestimated. Along with Chessum, Joe Heyes has been England’s best performer in the championship so far, and his emergence as a dependable Test tighthead provides a significant boost for Borthwick. Alex Coles has quietly impressed in the lock position since last year’s Six Nations, ensuring that England’s limited depth there hasn’t become a major weakness. Tom Roebuck had a good week to miss out against Ireland, but his underpar display against Scotland could be a prompt to reassert his standing against Italy and France. Tom Curry has not yet reached his customary levels, whether as an impact sub or as a starter, but if his body holds up, it would be hard for Borthwick to drop him. Up to the Scotland match, Guy Pepper had transitioned smoothly to international play; his future looks bright, but the back row is intensely competitive, and he is not firing at the moment. Luke Cowan-Dickie would face greater risk if a stronger option existed, while Fin Baxter and, particularly, Asher Opoku-Fordjour—who can cover both sides of the scrum—will re-enter consideration when fit. There are few frills to Bevan Rodd, but he appears to be a safe pick as the third-choice loosehead.
Maybes
Given England’s struggles, George Martin and Ben Curry would likely be in the matchday squad if fully fit, though both are currently hampered by to-be-determined issues—Martin with a long-term shoulder nerve problem and Curry with hamstring injuries. Ollie Lawrence looked fatigued against Ireland and has paid the price for Freeman’s move to center, though he brings a power punch that England otherwise lacks. Fraser Dingwall has shown some regression in recent form, and George Furbank hasn’t played for England since late 2024; however, a strong Northampton performance against Saracens could be enough to wrest the No. 15 jersey from Freddie Steward, who had a difficult day against Ireland. Is there room for both Furbank and Marcus Smith in a World Cup squad given Furbank’s versatility at fly-half? Smith hasn’t done much wrong in this Six Nations, but the days when he controlled England’s attacking game feel distant. Steward’s earlier strength remains valuable, but when that power becomes a liability, selecting him becomes trickier. Sam Underhill, once a guaranteed selection, looked off the pace at Murrayfield, serving as a reminder of why he wasn’t included in the initial 2023 World Cup squad. Borthwick experimented with three opensides against Ireland, but that approach did not yield results; Chandler Cunningham-South may get another chance against Italy. Jack van Poortvliet and Ben Spencer compete for the starting scrum-half role behind Mitchell, but neither inspires unreserved trust. Then there is Jamie George, who will retire after the next World Cup. His leadership is invaluable, and with limited alternatives at hooker, the 2027 tournament suddenly feels a longer horizon.
Long shots
Borthwick’s praise for Roebuck’s recent training performance does not bode well for Henry Arundell, who possesses explosive athleticism but has yet to be harnessed effectively. George Ford and other seasoned backs like Henry Slade and Elliot Daly find themselves in similar limbo—either their international futures are in question, or Borthwick already knows what they can contribute to a World Cup squad. Raffi Quirke must overcome injury to climb the scrum-half ladder, while Theo Dan has not progressed as hoped since the last World Cup, though a Rome opportunity could change that. England still harbors concerns about Max Ojomoh’s defensive reliability, which may limit his chances despite his strong ball-handling skills. Seb Atkinson is highly regarded and has the makings of a versatile inside center, but time is running out for him to establish himself.
Outside looking in
Trevor Davison and Immanuel Iyogun are present as injury cover, but it’s hard to imagine them securing places unless others are depleted. Billy Sela appears unlikely to make the plane this year, and if Borthwick saw genuine Test potential in Arthur Clark, Greg Fisilau, or Cadan Murley, they would probably have been given opportunities by now. Adam Radwan, Oscar Beard, and Curtis Langdon do not seem to fit Borthwick’s current plan. Charlie Ewels could be the unluckiest England player if he just misses selection again.
Bolters
With opponents now matching England’s aerial dominance, Borthwick faces a choice: adjust the game plan or double down on what’s worked. If the latter, Noah Caluori should be fast-tracked. Borthwick has often lamented the need for power athletes, which increases the likelihood that Benhard Janse van Rensburg—eligible in November—will be called into camp at the earliest opportunity. Hoskins Sotutu is technically eligible and is set to join Newcastle next season, and could make his England debut in the summer. Borthwick already rates Joe Marchant highly, and he’ll rejoin England after joining Sale; Kepu Tuipulotu, though only 20, is expected to win many caps at hooker, with the timing of his exposure to top-level rugby the only question. Finally, Owen Farrell has settled back at Saracens. His presence was missed during England’s 12-match winning spell, but his standard-setting influence would be invaluable once again.
Would you agree with these assessments, or do you see a different path the squad should take? Share your thoughts on which players you’d prioritize for the 2027 World Cup and why.
