ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Big players omitted in Borthwick's new squad and Jones finds a new job - The fallout

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Monday Jan 16, 2023

Steve Borthwick’s reign at the helm of English rugby has started in explosive fashion as he announced his first squad ahead of the upcoming Six Nations.

ADVERTISEMENT

The squad list resembles many of those who profited under Jones’ reign, with the likes of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell keeping their places in the squad. There have been some very noticeable exclusions from the squad, however, with very established wingers missing the cut in particular.

Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson and Joe Cokanasiga are all casualties of the cull, with youngsters Ollie Hassel-Collins, Caden Murley and Tommy Freeman all preferred. This will no doubt be a kick in the teeth for both Nowell and Cokanasiga after working their way back into the squad just last year following some pretty lengthy injuries.

Many thought that Danny Care may finally get a firm run at the number 9 jersey ahead of this world cup, however, it seems not to be. Borthwick has elected to go with Ben Youngs as the old head alongside the up-and-coming fan favourites Alex Mitchell and Jack Van Poortvliet.

Bath player Ollie Lawrence could feel hard done by as he misses out on yet another England squad, despite some mesmerising performances in the Premiership for the south-west side. Instead, there are recalls for centres Elliot Daly and Joe Marchant, players also currently in red-hot form.

In the forwards, there’s a big hole in the shape of Billy Vunipola as he misses out on selection again, with the more versatile Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds chosen ahead of the Saracens man. Ben Earl receives his first call-up in quite some time, well received by fans after a storming couple of years for Saracens. There’s also a noticeable return in the front row, as Leicester prop Dan Cole returns to the squad for the first time since 2019.

Fans appear to be very mixed on the selection, but no doubt opinions will change as the side takes to the field in February.


On the very same day as the squad announcement, a very different kind of announcement was happening on the other side of the world. Former England head coach Eddie Jones was revealed by world media to become the next Australia coach ahead of this year’s world cup. Many thought it may be on the cards, but so few believed it would actually happen.

Replacing Dave Rennie at the head of the Wallabies table, Jones is sure to bring in his own brutal style of coaching to turn an Aussie side currently lacking structure and ambition into one of serious potential. Rugby Australia chairman, Hamish McLennan, has come across enthusiastically about the former coach returning to Australian shores, “It is a major coup for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos programme,”.

Borthwick has given a press conference today explaining his selection and his thoughts on Eddie Jones returning to Australia, watch it here:

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Bristol Bears break 20-year record with victory...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks star Jordie Barrett discusses...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Gloucester's next 'Rees-Zammit' scores incredible...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 DAY AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 110 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 110 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 133 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All