England’s head coach Steve Borthwick has made notable adjustments to the squad lineup for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Australia, with Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly notably absent from the 25-man central contract list. This development aligns with Borthwick’s ongoing strategy to refine his team, despite both players having participated in the Six Nations. Lawrence’s exclusion is particularly striking, given his impressive performance against New Zealand. In their stead, new faces such as Northampton forward Alex Coles and Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour have been introduced, alongside Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet, who all secured contracts after missing out previously.
Daly’s exclusion is unexpected, considering his versatility on the field and the previous commendations he received from Borthwick. At 33, Daly remains a viable candidate for the larger World Cup squad, which will ultimately consist of 33 players. The omission of both Lawrence and Daly has intensified the competition for spots in England’s midfield and back-three lineups. Atkinson has emerged as a strong contender for the inside-centre position, while Opoku-Fordjour’s flexibility in playing both sides of the scrum enhances his selection prospects.
Meanwhile, Courtney Lawes and South African-born centre Benhard van Rensburg were also overlooked in the central contract allocations. Lawes, however, is still eligible for selection after his return to England, and van Rensburg, who made his international debut in the summer, remains a potential candidate for the future.
The central contracts, valued at approximately £150,000 per season, provide England with enhanced control over the players’ preparation processes. Borthwick’s recent selections indicate the players currently prioritized in his World Cup blueprint, offering insights into the strategic direction the team is headed as they gear up for the major tournament.