Borthwick names England squad with World Cup less than year away

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 14:20 · Archive

Steve Borthwick is naming his England training squad for the Nations Championship on Sunday, with little time to spare. He will have the squad for only a couple of days after the Premiership's derby weekend before players return to their clubs for domestic fixtures. The squad will be announced within minutes of the final whistle at Harlequins.

Borthwick needs to add 11 players to the core of 25 on England's enhanced contracts. Among potential returnees being considered is 37-year-old Courtney Lawes, recently back at Sale Sharks after a spell in France. The i Paper notes that while Lawes displayed familiar skills such as securing line-outs and sniffing turnovers in a recent match against Glasgow, his pace appeared diminished. Also under consideration is Ollie Marchant, a former Harlequins centre and 2023 World Cup player who spent three years unavailable for England due to the country's controversial overseas selection policy.

Guardian Sport suggests the squad announcement will reveal Borthwick's approach to the upcoming campaign. If he selects players such as George Hendy, Will Joseph and Fitz Harding—who have thrived in the high-scoring Premiership—it would suggest he is embracing the attacking style dominating domestic rugby. A recall for Lawes would hint at a more conservative, experience-focused approach. Maro Itoje is set to regain the England captaincy after resting during the summer.

How it is being reported

• Will Borthwick’s autumn England squad embrace Prem chaos or prioritise prudence? | Gerard MeagherScoring spree will be forgotten at the Rugby World Cup, and a return for Courtney Lawes may hint at coach’s thinking It says much about Steve Borthwick’s approach to England’s coming autumn campaign that he is due to name his training squad within minutes of the full-time whistle at Harlequins on Sunday. Simply put, there is no time to waste. Borthwick will have his squad for only a couple of days after the Prem’s derby weekend before they return to their clubs for a domestic fixture. In years gone by there was an extra week with the players but this time, as 12 months ago, Borthwick’s…Guardian Sport · 23 Oct, 13:56
• England face five big questions as Borthwick names Nations Championship squadThe England head coach now has less than a year to prepare for the Rugby World CupThe i Paper · 22 Oct, 16:09

In this story: Steve Borthwick · England · Courtney Lawes · Ollie Marchant · Maro Itoje · Sale Sharks · Harlequins

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