In a strategic move as England prepares for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Australia, head coach Steve Borthwick has notably excluded Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly from the team’s 25-man central contract list. This decision comes despite both players’ participation in the Six Nations, though they were absent from England’s three summer Tests. Lawrence’s exclusion is particularly striking, given his standout performance in England’s previous triumph against New Zealand.
New faces have emerged as Borthwick reshapes his squad, with Northampton forward Alex Coles and Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour among the fresh additions. Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet have also secured contracts after being overlooked in the previous year. The decision to leave Daly out is significant, considering his versatility and the coach’s earlier commendations of the 33-year-old player. Nonetheless, Daly remains in contention for the broader 33-player World Cup squad.
The omission of both Lawrence and Daly heightens the competition for positions in England’s midfield and back-three. Atkinson has now emerged as a strong candidate for the inside-centre role, while Opoku-Fordjour’s capability to operate on both sides of the scrum adds depth to the squad. In addition to these changes, Courtney Lawes and South African-born centre Benhard van Rensburg have also been left out. However, Lawes is available for selection after his return to England, and van Rensburg made a mark with his international debut during the summer.
England’s central contracts, valued at approximately £150,000 annually, provide the coaching staff with increased oversight of players’ preparations. Borthwick’s latest selections offer a glimpse into the players currently aligning most closely with his vision for the World Cup team. As the tournament approaches, these developments underline the evolving dynamics within the squad, setting the stage for a competitive selection process.