In a notable shift for England’s rugby team ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia, Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly have been excluded from the 25-man central contract list announced by head coach Steve Borthwick. Despite both players’ participation in the Six Nations, they were absent from England’s recent summer Tests, marking a strategic change particularly significant for Lawrence, who had previously shone in a key victory against New Zealand.
The latest squad adjustments see Northampton forward Alex Coles and Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour added as new faces. Additionally, Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet have secured contracts after not being included in the previous year. Daly’s omission stands out due to his versatility on the field and prior commendations from Borthwick, though he still remains in contention for the larger World Cup squad, which will consist of 33 players.
This decision intensifies competition within England’s midfield and back-three selections. Atkinson emerges as a potential choice for the inside-centre role, while Opoku-Fordjour’s capacity to operate on both sides of the scrum enhances his position. The exclusion of veterans like Courtney Lawes and the South African-born centre Benhard van Rensburg also reflects Borthwick’s evolving strategy. Lawes has returned to England and is still available for selection, whereas van Rensburg made his international debut over the summer.
England’s central contracts, valued at around £150,000 per season, offer the team greater control over player preparation. The recent selections provide an early look into Borthwick’s vision for the World Cup roster, highlighting those players edging closer to securing a place in the team bound for Australia.