Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with just over two weeks until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at England.
England will be out to go one step further in 2023 as they search for their second Rugby World Cup title.
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A lot has changed in four years, with Steve Borthwick taking over as coach following the departure of Eddie Jones.
Since taking over, there have been mixed results but a fortunate Pool drawing has English fans optimistic they can go deep in this tournament.
It’s a real mix of youth and experience as Borthwick looks to get them firing at the right time.
Finished first in their 2019 RWC Pool
England had failed to find consistent form over the past 12 months
They produced a strong performance to snare a draw against New Zealand before a defeat to South Africa left the English looking for a new coach.
Borthwick’s campaign started with defeat to rivals Scotland in the Six Nations before rebounding against Italy and Wales. From here, it was all downhill thanks to a 53-10 thumping defeat to France, followed by a convincing loss to Ireland.
The poor form continued into the Summer Nations Series with a pair of defeats to Wales, which included red cards to Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola
Henry Slade has been left out of England's World Cup squad in an unexpected selection twist from head coach Steve Borthwick.
Slade has been an automatic pick in the midfield for much of the last six years, appearing in 30 of the past 37 Tests since the 2019 tournament, but has been overlooked for the 33-man group.
Billy Vunipola earned a call-up, despite not playing since April, whilst wings Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga were also surprise omissions.
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
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis
Ellis Genge is the spiritual leader of the English pack.
The ‘baby rhino’ has a brute with ball in hand and set their series win up over the Wallabies with a series of damaging carries.
He also remains one of the better scrummaging looseheads in the world, with his no-nonsense attitude starting to rub off on the team.
A lot of England’s forward momentum relies on Genge piercing the line and physically dominating his opposition. Having burst onto the scene in 2016, Genge has stepped up as a leader of an England side in a transition phase, with his influence key to them going deep in this tournament.
Henry Arundell is an electric outside back that can change a game in an instant.
Arundell burst onto the scene with a freakish 100m try for London Irish against Toulon in 2022.
It was enough to catch the eye of Eddie Jones, who picked him for debut against the Wallabies and was rewarded instantly with a try on debut.
Arundell will join Racing 92 at the end of the Rugby World Cup and has the potential to turn himself into a superstar at this tournament coming off an injury-hampered 2023.
Played: 50
Wins: 36
Loses: 14
Best Finish: Winners (2003)
2019: Second
2015: Group Stages
2011: Quarter Finals
2007: Runners Up
2003: Winners
The Japanese game in Nice looms as a fascinating contest pending their opener against Argentina.
Starting their tournament against the Pumas and Brave Blossoms is a tough ask, but two straight wins can all but secure their place on top of Pool D.
If they drop the game against Argentina, all of a sudden this becomes a must-win match and the pressure suddenly falls on Borthwick and co.
Japan is dangerous at World Cup time - just ask Ireland and South Africa. Whilst England are unbeaten against the Japanese, anything can happen.
Sun Sep 10 (5:00 AM): England v Argentina, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Mon Sep 18 (5:00 AM): England v Japan, Stade de Nice, Nice
Sun Sep 24 (1:45 AM): England v Chile, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Sun Oct 8 (2:45 AM): England v Samoa, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
