In a significant shift for England’s rugby squad, Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly have been excluded from the 25-man central contract list, as head coach Steve Borthwick continues to refine his team ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year. Despite both players participating in the Six Nations, neither featured in England’s trio of summer Tests, marking a notable change in Borthwick’s strategy. Lawrence’s absence is particularly surprising, given his standout performance against New Zealand in a previous encounter.
The updated list includes new faces such as Northampton’s Alex Coles and Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour. Additionally, Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet, who missed out on contracts last year, have now been included. Daly’s exclusion is especially striking, considering his versatility and previous commendations from Borthwick. However, it is important to note that Daly remains a contender for the broader 33-player World Cup squad.
This decision intensifies competition within England’s midfield and back-three lineups. Atkinson emerges as a strong candidate for the inside-centre position, while Opoku-Fordjour’s dual capability on both sides of the scrum bolsters his prospects. Other notable omissions include seasoned player Courtney Lawes and South African-born centre Benhard van Rensburg. Despite being overlooked, Lawes is still eligible for selection, having returned to England, while van Rensburg recently earned his international debut during the summer.
England’s central contracts, valued at approximately £150,000 per season, allow for greater oversight of player preparation. These latest selections by Borthwick provide an early glimpse into the players who are currently at the forefront of his World Cup considerations. As the team evolves, it remains to be seen how these strategic adjustments will influence England’s performance on the world stage.