In a significant shift for England’s rugby team, head coach Steve Borthwick has excluded Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly from the 25-man central contract list as he refines his squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Australia next year. Although both Lawrence and Daly participated in the Six Nations, they were absent from England’s three summer Tests, marking a notable change in Borthwick’s strategy. Lawrence’s absence is particularly striking given his standout performance in England’s win over New Zealand.
New faces in the squad include Northampton forward Alex Coles and Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, alongside Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet, who have secured contracts after being overlooked last year. Despite Daly’s versatility and the praise he previously received from Borthwick, the 33-year-old’s omission from the central contracts underscores the competitive nature of the selection process. Nevertheless, Daly remains a contender for the larger World Cup squad, which will eventually consist of 33 players.
The exclusion of Lawrence and Daly intensifies competition among England’s midfield and back-three positions. Atkinson has emerged as a strong candidate for the inside-centre role, while Opoku-Fordjour’s ability to operate on both sides of the scrum enhances his appeal. This reshuffle highlights Borthwick’s strategic adjustments as he looks to solidify a winning combination for the World Cup.
Additionally, experienced players like Courtney Lawes and Benhard van Rensburg, the South African-born centre, have also been left out of the central contract list. Lawes, who has recently returned to England, remains eligible for selection, and van Rensburg made his international debut during the summer tests, emphasizing the evolving dynamics within the team.
The central contracts, each valued at around £150,000 per season, offer England greater control over player preparation. Borthwick’s latest selections provide an early glimpse into the pool of talent he is considering for next year’s World Cup, reflecting his evolving vision for the national team.