BBC Rugby Union: England’s Squad Selections Reveal Winners and Losers

Following the announcement of England’s squad for their upcoming Tests against Japan and the All Blacks, rugby enthusiasts are analyzing the winners and losers from Steve Borthwick’s selection. The England head coach has named a 36-man squad featuring six uncapped players, while rewarding form with several recalls.

The Winners

The Curry twins, Ben and Tom, are among the clear winners, with the latter’s inclusion based on his impressive performances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he showcased his world-class abilities. Despite a lengthy injury layoff, Tom’s return to action for Sale Sharks has proven his readiness for the international stage.

Another group of winners are the six uncapped players – Fin Baxter, Gabriel Oghre, Joe Carpenter, Tom Roebuck, Ollie Sleightholme, and Luke Northmore – whose stellar club form has earned them a chance to impress at the Test level. Experienced campaigners like Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, and Ben Spencer have also been given the nod, looking to cement their places in the starting lineup.

The Losers

However, the selection process has not been without its losers. Bath’s Beno Obano missed out due to a costly red card in the Premiership final, while Northampton Saints’ front-row trio of Emmanuel Iyogun, Trevor Davison, and the injured Curtis Langdon were overlooked. Bath’s back-row duo of Ted Hill and Alfie Barbeary were also surprise omissions, with Cunningham-South’s inclusion likely playing a role.

Former first-choice scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet’s exclusion in favor of Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer is another notable disappointment, as the Leicester Tigers playmaker continues to recover from a serious ankle injury.

As the England squad prepares for the upcoming Tests, rugby enthusiasts will closely follow the journey of these winners and losers, eager to see how they perform on the international stage.

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