In a significant development 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 ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year. Despite their performances during the Six Nations, neither Lawrence nor Daly participated in the three summer Tests. Lawrence’s absence is particularly striking given his past standout performance in England’s win against New Zealand, signaling a notable shift in Borthwick’s strategy.
New faces in the squad include Northampton’s Alex Coles and Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour, with Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet also earning contracts after being overlooked last year. The inclusion of these players highlights a competitive environment for England’s midfield and back-three roles, with Atkinson emerging as a strong candidate for inside-centre. Opoku-Fordjour’s versatility in playing both sides of the scrum further bolsters his selection.
Elliot Daly’s exclusion is particularly surprising given his versatility and past commendations from Borthwick, despite the 33-year-old’s continued eligibility for the broader World Cup squad of 33 players. Similarly, Courtney Lawes and Benhard van Rensburg have been omitted, although Lawes remains an option following his return to England, and van Rensburg made his international debut over the summer.
England’s central contracts, valued at approximately £150,000 per season, offer the team greater control over player preparation. Borthwick’s current selection provides an early glimpse into the athletes who are integral to his World Cup plans. The decisions made in crafting this squad suggest a strategic focus on enhancing competitive depth and versatility across key positions.