England's RWC Potentials

With just two rounds of the Aviva Premiership to go, time is running out for players to throw their hats into the mix for Rugby World Cup selection.

That said, there are plenty of players who have been doing just that so far this season and who must surely be on the mind of Stuart Lancaster, as he looks to assemble his training squad later this month.

Finding 40-odd players to fill this squad will be amongst Lancaster’s easier jobs as England’s head coach, but cutting that number down to 31 for his final RWC squad will undoubtedly be his toughest task yet.

We have compiled a list of fringe players or bolters who could make that final, 31-man cut and given our verdict on whether or not they will feature at the upcoming RWC.

Maro Itoje, lock/blindside flanker

The name on almost everyone’s lips, Itoje has taken the Premiership by storm this season and has taken to big games like a duck to water, most noticeably with his fine performance in Saracens’ European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont. His international experience is also noteworthy, albeit not at senior level, as Itoje has captained the England U20 side to their Junior World Championship win in New Zealand last year, as well as stepping up to the Saxons side earlier this year.

Verdict – Yes, he makes the team. His ability to cover blindside, without diminishing in ability, is an ace up his sleeve that few other locks in world rugby have, whilst his list of positive attributes seems to grow by the day. Lack of experience and a congested England engine room are both working against Itoje, however.

Sam Burgess, blindside flanker

Burgess’ move to the back row, which has been a definite success in a limited sample so far, throws his name back into bolter contention. The rugby league convert was struggling to impose himself on games at inside centre, but looks a far happier man at blindside flanker, where is able to put his physicality and phenomenal work rate to good use. His work at the breakdown has been impressive, as has his ability to keep ball carriers upright, either forcing mauls or stripping possession from them himself.

Verdict – No, but with a caveat. Neither James Haskell nor Tom Wood has made England’s six jersey their own this season, but Lancaster trusts them both and appreciates their ability to cover multiple positions in the back row. If injury strikes one of the two, Burgess could be top of a shortlist to replace them, especially given his exposure to big games in the 13-man code.

Dave Ewers, blindside flanker/number eight

The Zimbabwean-born bruiser has been in fine form this season, further excelling since his move from number eight to blindside flanker. The move has seen him improve not only his stamina, but also his influence at the breakdown, and is arguably now level with Haskell as the most abrasive rucker in the Premiership. Should he be included, he would add a dynamic threat with ball in hand to an English back row which almost solely relies on Billy Vunipola and Ben Morgan in that facet.

Verdict – No, he just misses out to a resurgent Morgan. The latest updates on Morgan’s broken leg suggest he is ahead of schedule in his rehab and confident of being fit and firing by the time the RWC rolls around. Regardless of Morgan’s status, there are compelling cases to be made for Ewers’ inclusion, but it seems like it could take an injury to open up a spot for Ewers in Lancaster’s eyes.

Joe Simpson, scrum-half

In case anyone had forgotten, Simpson’s sublime solo try against Exeter in the Premiership was a timely reminder of just how dangerous a skill set Simpson has at his disposable. Having played second fiddle to Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Richard Wigglesworth and Lee Dickson for most of his career, Simpson’s improvements to his tactical kicking and game management this season could be enough to see him usurp the duo of Care and Dickson, both of whom have been in solid, if unspectacular form.

Verdict – Yes, Lancaster rolls the dice and brings him on board. The composition of England’s 31-man squad could open up a spot for Simpson, depending on the split of forwards and backs in the squad. If they carry three scrum-halves, as they have done at previous RWCs, Simpson could sneak in behind Youngs and one of Care or Wigglesworth.

Henry Slade, fly-half/centre

Slade has been mooted by many as a versatile bench option at the RWC, if not a starting inside centre. Given that Slade is a natural fly-half and has significant experience of playing outside centre, the consensus seems to be that he has the transferrable skills required to play at second receiver. As with Itoje, Slade does bring with him experience of winning a Junior World Championship, not to mention a confidence and fearlessness that only youth can offer.

Verdict – No, Lancaster plays it safe at such an important position. This decision could hinge on whether Lancaster sees Farrell as his preferred inside centre or a bench option capable of covering both 10 and 12. If it’s the former, Lancaster is more likely to bring in another dedicated fly-half, though that could well be Danny Cipriani, but if Farrell is covering fly-half duties on the bench, it’s tough to see England carrying a third standoff.

Elliot Daly, centre/full-back  

A tremendously skilled 13 with an outside break that will trouble any defence in world rugby, Daly has put down the strongest markers of all that he is deserving of a spot in England’s RWC squad. Fresh from a Premiership Player of the Month award and torching Toulon’s defence in the ERCC, Daly has been making everyone sit up and take notice of his sparkling form of late. His considerable ability at full-back, as well as experience of playing on the wing, should make him the ideal cover option in the England back line.

Verdict – No, Lancaster opts to go with Twelvetrees as his bench option. Despite the form of both Twelvetrees and Daly going in contrasting directions of late, the former has won the trust of Lancaster, who is a more conservative coach now than he was when he took the job. A bench of Farrell and Daly would cover every position from fly-half to full-back, but based on recent England selections, it’s hard to see a very deserving Daly making the squad.