Henry Slade left out of England's Rugby World Cup squad with Steve Borthwick preferring Joe Marchant
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Updated 07/08/2023 at 16:32 GMT
Henry Slade has been a mainstay in the England side since 2015 and was a vice-captain under previous head coach Eddie Jones. However, he has been overlooked by Steve Borthwick for this year's Rugby World Cup, with Joe Marchant preferred in his place. Alex Dombrandt, Jamie Blamire and Joe Cokanasiga also miss out. England get their tournament under way against Argentina on September 9.
Borthwick: Slade 'disappointed' to miss out, but 'flexibility' needed in WC squad selection
Henry Slade has been left out of England’s 33-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Exeter centre is the most surprising omission, but other casualties from Steve Borthwick’s wider training squad include Alex Dombrandt, Jamie Blamire and Joe Cokanasiga.
Slade, who helped England to the final in 2019 and was a vice-captain under previous head coach Eddie Jones, has seemingly lost his place to Joe Marchant, who will join Stade Francais next season.
In an otherwise poor team performance against Wales in a warm-up defeat in Cardiff, Marchant was one of the players to impress Borthwick.
Speaking to the media about leaving Slade out of his squad, Borthwick said: “There have been a number of difficult decisions.
“Henry has been tremendous throughout the training camp. He is disappointed but we know there will be changes. There will be bumps and bruises so everyone needs to be ready to go.
“It was a personal conversation and I share my thoughts on the decision-making process. There are good players competing in his position. We were always going to have three players in key positions – that means in other areas of the team you need positional flexibility.
“Henry and all the players were disappointed. They all worked incredibly hard and were disappointed. But each one will be ready to go."
Owen Farrell will captain England at his third Rugby World Cup, with Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes named as vice-captains.
Saracens hooker Theo Dan, who made his debut in the Wales loss, is also included in the squad.
Speaking about his selections, Borthwick said: “Rugby World Cups involve unique challenges in terms of the demands on players, the need for squad flexibility and the limited number of squad places available.
“France 2023 is no different, but I am confident we have selected a squad of 33 that is well able to meet those challenges and leave us best placed to be at our most competitive in this exciting tournament.
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Theo Dan made his England debut against Wales in Cardiff
Image credit: Eurosport
“As Saturday’s game in Cardiff proved, we have a series of demanding Test matches through August as we continue that preparation towards our opening Rugby World Cup pool game against an in-form Argentina side."
England are one of the first nations to unveil their squad for the World Cup, which starts on September 8.
Speaking about his timeline, Borthwick said: “We believe that announcing the squad a little earlier than otherwise might have been the case, brings a clarity and certainty to the group, allowing the players as much time as possible to settle and develop as a squad.”
Borthwick’s experienced squad has over 1,400 combined international appearances, with Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and Lawes all ready to compete in their fourth Rugby World Cup.
England’s campaign begins against Argentina in Marseille on Saturday, September 9, before further Pool D matches see them come up against Japan, Chile and Samoa.
England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards
- Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
- Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
- Theo Dan (Saracens)
- Ben Earl (Saracens)
- Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
- Jamie George (Saracens)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens)
- Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
- Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
- Joe Marler (Harlequins)
- George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
- David Ribbans (Toulon)
- Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
- Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
- Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
- Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
- Jack Walker (Harlequins)
- Jack Willis (Toulouse)
Backs
- Henry Arundell (Racing 92)
- Danny Care (Harlequins)
- Elliot Daly (Saracens)
- Owen Farrell (Saracens)
- George Ford (Sale Sharks)
- Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
- Max Malins (Bristol Bears)
- Joe Marchant (Stade Francais)
- Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
- Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
- Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
- Anthony Watson (unattached)
- Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
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