eBusiness Weekly
Following the announcement of Steve Borthwick’s 28-man England training squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup, we delve into some of the interesting inclusions.
Zach Mercer
After committing his future to English rugby by signing for Premiership side Gloucester, the number eight has been handed his first call-up since 2018.
Overlooked by Eddie Jones after England’s unconvincing victory over Japan in November that year, Mercer then moved to Montpellier in 2021.
The back-row has since showed his immense quality while at the French club, being regarded as one of the best players in the Top 14 over the past two seasons.
With the Red Rose struggling at number eight, due to Billy Vunipola being injured and out of favour, and neither Alex Dombrandt or Sam Simmonds convincing when given a chance, Borthwick will hope that Mercer is the answer.
His selection in the initial training squad is the first step to his ultimate goal of being picked for the World Cup and he will look to impress over the coming weeks and months.
Mercer has tremendous footwork, pace and skill set, and could well provide balance to that back-row.
Ben Spencer
Another who has been overlooked for a lengthy period, with his last England appearance coming in the 2019 World Cup final defeat to South Africa.
Although three scrum-halves have already been named in the squad, with more set to arrive when players from the Premiership’s top-four are added, presumptions shouldn’t be made over who will be preferred.
For example, there is only out-and-out lock picked in this 28-man group, which suggests that Borthwick has a broad idea of who will make up the second-row.
On the other hand, scrum-half is very much up for grabs. Alex Mitchell, Ben Youngs and Jack van Poortvliet will all be in contention to go, while Sale Sharks duo Raffi Quirke and Gus Warr could also come into the equation.
The coaches are therefore undecided as to who will head to France, so Spencer has an opportunity to lay down a marker and make a late surge for the final 33.
The 30-year-old is the type of half-back Borthwick will like, with his kicking game and decision-making amongst the best in the Premiership, while he is also incredibly quick around the fringes.
Joe Marler
His omission from the recent squads has been interesting. In previous years, it has come as a result of Marler wanting to protect his mental health as he struggles to be away from his family for long periods of time.
The loosehead retired in September 2018, citing personal reasons, but came back to play a part in their 2019 World Cup run.
If fit, Marler has generally been available for selection since then, but he has not featured over the past year, presumably due to form.
However, he remains the country’s best scrummaging loosehead and, at his best, would be a big asset in France, especially when you consider England’s set-piece issues.
Borthwick has sought to rectify the scrum and lineout, and as a result Marler still has a big role to play if he can prove himself in training.
Ted Hill
Someone who has been very unlucky not to be involved more, particularly with England’s preference for having a hybrid blindside following the last World Cup.
Courtney Lawes is the obvious first choice when available, but the issue, certainly in recent times, has been his injury record. Hill, on paper anyway, appears to be the perfect stand-in, given his height, athleticism and skill set.
The former Worcester Warriors player, who joined Bath when the Midlanders sadly went into administration, has enjoyed a tremendous season in the West Country.
Outstanding technically and also a physical presence in the loose, Hill would be the ideal back-up to Lawes.
The 24-year-old is also very well respected in the English game and has leadership qualities which the head coach will like.
Charlie Ewels
The only true second-row in the squad – although Hill can cover there – which means that he is very much in contention to go to France.
Ewels has missed the majority of the past year due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury and has had very little game time since signing a short-term deal with the Bulls, but he is the sort of lock Borthwick likes.
England’s boss has always been a lineout technician, both during his playing days and as a coach, and that is an area in which the 27-year-old is deemed to excel in.
We don’t think Ewels has ever done enough at international level – and to be honest in the Premiership as well – to justify his place in Red Rose squads, but ultimately both Eddie Jones and Borthwick are fans of his and that’s what counts most.
Danny Care
For Care, see Spencer with the experienced scrum-half given another opportunity to prove himself at the top level.
He made a surprise comeback during the 2022 tour to Australia after making up with Jones following their fallout four years previous, but he was once again treated badly by the then-England head coach.
The Harlequins player actually performed pretty well during the first Test, despite their defeat, before Jack van Poortvliet started in the second game.
Van Poortvliet impressed but Care came on to close out the match well and that combination should have remained in situ heading into the decider, but Jones once again made an odd selection call.
Care proceeded to start and have an absolute shocker, being replaced before the first 40 minutes had even elapsed.
It was brutal on the talented scrum-half, who was promptly dropped for the country’s November campaign and wasn’t included by Borthwick for the 2023 Six Nations.
However, at his best, the 36-year-old has as good a chance as any to make the 33.
Val Rapava-Ruskin
The Gloucester man was probably the form prop in the Premiership in 2022/23, but he has failed to get his opportunity – a mystery when you consider England’s struggles up front.
Rapava-Ruskin does plenty of eye-catching stuff, from his outstanding breakdown work to his ability in the loose, where he can make significant dents in opposition defences, but he is also sound technically.
His scrummaging is excellent and, at 30, appears to be getting towards his prime. Ellis Genge is the only certainty to go to France, which leaves Marler, Beno Obano, Bevan Rodd and Mako Vunipola battling for the final two spots.
Those looseheads all have their qualities but, in terms of their all-round games, Rapava-Ruskin is just ahead of his competitors. Planetrugby
