England Rugby's unlucky 'Reject XV'
Eddie Jones announced his 38-man World Cup training squad on Thursday (35 fit and the three rehabilitating players), with some unexpected inclusions and exclusions.
What is noticeable is that there is a host of seasoned and in-form players that have missed out, which is an indication of how much depth England have these days.
Nonetheless, there will be some players that will inevitably feel aggrieved that they have been omitted, either because of the season that they have had, or the career they have had with England. Here is a RugbyPass England XV that are unlucky to miss out:
15 Alex Goode
The European player of the year is possibly the most unlucky out of everyone, but has never been liked by Jones, earning his last cap in 2016 despite his consistency for Saracens.
14 Mike Brown
Although primarily a full-back, Brown must be part of this list for all he has done for England over the past decade. Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, he has slipped out of contention this past year.
BREAKING | Your 35-man England @rugbyworldcup training squad ?
? https://t.co/YTNUSNu1Kj#RWC2019 #CarryThemHome pic.twitter.com/8oJBmM66ta
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 4, 2019
13 Alex Lozowski
Perhaps paid the price for a poor showing for England against Japan in the autumn, but his form at the end of the season for double winners Saracens was exemplary.
12 Mark Atkinson
One of a number of Gloucester players to miss out after a brilliant season. Exeter Chiefs’ Ollie Devoto is another centre that gave a good account of himself this year.
11 Ollie Thorley
Announced himself to the Premiership at the beginning of the season with some wonderful displays for Gloucester. The mazy runner was always an outside bet to make the squad, but was pipped by Bath’s uncapped winger Ruaridh McConnochie. He could have been competing with Chris Ashton (who pulled out of the squad) and the injured Denny Solomona for a place as well, as England have a lot of options on the wing.
10 Marcus Smith
The World Cup probably came too early for the 20-year-old Harlequins fly-half who has been in and out of Jones’ squads, but will undoubtedly be part of the next World Cup cycle.
9 Danny Care
Both Danny Care and Dan Robson were both worthy of a place, but Willi Heinz got the third spot behind Ben Spencer and Ben Youngs. However, it is Care’s 84-caps-worth of experience that makes him most unlucky.
8 Sam Simmonds
This time last year, Simmonds would have been on most people’s list to make the World Cup. Unfortunately, a devastating ACL injury in September meant he only returned to rugby with a few weeks of the season remaining and not enough time to make the squad.
7 Chris Robshaw
Had a great season with Harlequins, but it always looked as though Brad Shields was going to beat him to Jones’ squad ever since the New Zealand-born player moved to England. On the other hand, Lewis Ludlam’s selection ahead of the 66-cap veteran may surprise some. At 33 years of age, this will surely spell the end of the former captain’s international career.
6 Alex Dombrandt
Another luckless Harlequins player after a barnstorming season in the Premiership. His ability to play No8 may have earned him a place, as he was one of the bolters to make the squad at the end of the season.
5 Nick Isiekwe
Already with three caps to his name at the age of 21, the dynamic lock has fallen victim to England’s immense depth in that position with Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and Charlie Ewels ahead of him.
There was no greater show of faith in England's RWC 2019 potential than Joe Marler's decision to come out of Test retirement ? https://t.co/Gcvxer4gJ2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 4, 2019
4 Nathan Hughes
Although primarily a No8, Jones deployed him as a second row in the autumn and Six Nations which should have given him the edge in the squad. Hughes is a player that has been a regular since making his debut in 2016 but equally never fully secured his place in the squad.
3 Nick Schonert
Included in the initial training squad, but the Worcester Warriors tighthead ultimately missed out as Jones opted for the vastly experienced Dan Coles and Harry Williams who will likely back up Kyle Sinckler.
2 Jack Yeandle
Dylan Hartley is the obvious player here, but it is an injury that has ruined his chances of going to Japan rather than anything else. The ever-dependable Exeter captain Jack Yeandle is more unfortunate as he leads the Premiership runners-up superbly and starts ahead of club colleague Luke Cowan-Dickie, who has made the squad.
1 Val Rapava-Ruskin
A player that was also included in the initial training squad after a powerful season with Gloucester, but was not helped by Joe Marler’s return to the international set-up.
WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary on the many adventures that fans can expect to experience in Japan at this year’s World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Absolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
5 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
5 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to comments