England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, is close to finalizing his 33-man squad for the World Cup, which will be held in France. Borthwick revealed that most of the squad is already decided, with only “one or two places” remaining to be confirmed. The team will consist of three scrum-halves and three fly-halves, meaning that Marcus Smith and Danny Care are likely to be selected.
In the current training squad, the fly-halves include Farrell, Ford, and Smith, while the scrum-halves are Care, Ben Youngs, and Jack van Poortvliet. Given the larger squad size allowed for the 2023 tournament, all six players in these positions are expected to make the trip to France.
Borthwick emphasized the importance of position flexibility, stating that players who can adapt to multiple roles will be valuable for the team. He highlighted the need for readiness among those outside the final 33, as they may need to step in at any moment during the tournament.
Marcus Smith, who will start in the upcoming match against Wales, expressed his growth as a player since the Six Nations and how he has learned from past experiences. He acknowledged the increased competition for his position but appreciated Borthwick’s transparency regarding the “pecking order.” Smith also expressed his excitement at the prospect of representing England in his first World Cup, considering it a dream come true.
The England team is set to begin their World Cup journey on September 9th against Argentina in Marseille, with three more warm-up games scheduled after the match against Wales. The final 33-man squad for the World Cup will be announced on Monday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Cup squad
1. What is the current status of England’s World Cup squad?
Answer: England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has almost finalized the 33-man squad for the World Cup, with only “one or two places” left to be decided.
2. Which players are likely to be part of the squad?
Answer: Fly-halves Marcus Smith and Danny Care are expected to be picked for the squad, along with three other scrum-halves and fly-halves.
3. How many scrum-halves and fly-halves will be taken to the World Cup?
Answer: Steve Borthwick plans to take three scrum-halves and three fly-halves to the World Cup in France.
4. How has Marcus Smith responded to his previous challenges in the Six Nations?
Answer: Marcus Smith has learned valuable lessons from his experiences in the Six Nations, which have made him a better player and person.
5. What is the significance of position flexibility in the squad?
Answer: Steve Borthwick emphasized the importance of position flexibility, as players who can adapt to multiple roles will be highly valuable during the tournament.
6. When will the final 33-man squad be announced?
Answer: The final 33-man squad for the World Cup will be officially named on Monday.
7. When does England begin their World Cup campaign and against whom?
Answer: England starts their World Cup journey on September 9th, facing Argentina in Marseille as their first match.
8. How many warm-up games are scheduled before the World Cup?
Answer: Three warm-up games are planned before the World Cup, following the match against Wales.
9. What are Marcus Smith’s feelings about potentially playing in the World Cup?
Answer: Marcus Smith expressed that playing in his first World Cup would be a “dream come true” and is excited about the possibility.
More about World Cup squad
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Sport Newes Center website: Source for the quotes and information about England’s World Cup squad and Steve Borthwick’s statements.
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Rugby World Cup 2023: Official website for the Rugby World Cup 2023, providing updates and details about the upcoming tournament in France.
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Principality Stadium: Information about the venue for the Summer Series match between Wales and England.
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Marcus Smith – Six Nations: Player profile and statistics for Marcus Smith during the Six Nations.
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Eddie Jones – World Cup 2019: Information about the 2019 World Cup squad and selections made by Eddie Jones.
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World Rugby: Governing body for rugby worldwide, including updates and news about the sport.
