England candidates face a high-stakes audition against Wales as they try to earn places on Steve Borthwick’s Rugby World Cup squad
The official rule is that it’s not an audition, but it certainly looks like it. Steve Borthwick has filled his matchday squad for Wales with players uncertain about World Cup squad.
There are some honorable exceptions, such as Ellis Genge – who will lead visitors to Cardiff with typical primal ferocity – and Freddie Steward. The Leicester full-back might as well have the number 15 tattooed on his back, such is his current holding of that position.
On the one hand, Saracens’ Max Malins is widely regarded as someone in the “probable” category to make the cut for the global showpiece, when Borthwick announces 33 names on Monday. But he may not be entirely sure, hence the decision to give him a run in the Welsh capital, to gauge his impact, along with giant Joe Cokanasiga on the other flank.
Those who are completely absent are nailed to France, or doomed to be left out, in which case – in the overcrowded back-three department – the writing for Jonny now seems to be hanging on the wall. May and Cadan Murley, unless injuries occur. Another who’s nowhere to be seen is Ben Earl and it’s hard to know if that means the Saracens’ dynamic back-rower has already done enough to be included, or if he’ll miss out on another cutthroat roster territory.
The England XV for this first of four warm-up games is awash with personal agendas, within the collective quest for fluidity and momentum. Guy Porter and Joe Marchant are in an untried midfield together and while the latter has a chance of making 33 it would be a big surprise to see Porter sitting there given the competition for places. Perhaps the Anglo-Australian Tiger has trained down the house and is more confused than seen outside the Red Rose camp.
Steve Borthwick’s side against Wales is full of players who are uncertain about their World Cup squad
Max Malins is likely to be part of the World Cup squad, but will impress against Wales
Guy Porter, left, and Joe Marchant, right, will be together in an unfamiliar England midfield
Naturally, so much of the focus will be on the man with 10. While Danny Care, the other starting half-back, is seemingly assured of a World Cup role as Borthwick plans to take three scrum halves, his Harlequins side-kick Marcus Smith hasn’t quite as a peace of mind. He may need to put in a convincing performance to convince the head coach that it’s worth the relative luxury of creating enough room for three primary playmakers.
Make no mistake, Captain Owen Farrell and George Ford rank first and second in the current fly-half pecking order. They’ll play side by side, or Ford will understudy his friend. But Smith can prove at Cardiff that he has the enhanced control to be confident, as well as the wizardry to turn competitions upside down at international level, as he has done so many times for his club.
His fate on Monday will say so much about how England will approach their campaign in the autumn. If Smith is included, it suggests that Borthwick really accepts the need for “magic” in the mix, as he claimed. If Smith is left out, it will expose the national team’s intention to sink or swim based on a pragmatic approach, without resorting to any X-factor creative asset. The rugby crowd will hope that Smith is not thrown out.
Up front there’s little danger to the assembled props and whores as they’ll probably all be included in the 33 so this is just a chance to gauge Jamie Blamire from the start and rookie Theo Dan from the bench as understudies lead to number 2Jamie George. But the back five of the pack is another congested zone and there are many on Saturday’s trials.
David Ribbans and George Martin are on the starting blocks to battle to be chosen for the World Cup, and so are Lewis Ludlam, Tom Pearson and Alex Dombrandt in the back row. They must all make a statement before their coaches meet Saturday night to finalize their plans.
Ellis Genge is a certainty to make the final selection and will lead the visitors in Cardiff
Marcus Smith starts as fly-half, but must convince Borthwick to select three playmakers
Alex Dombrandt is in a precarious position after an unconvincing Six Nations contribution
Dombrandt is in a precarious position after an unconvincing Six Nations contribution and the return of Billy Vunipola, while Pearson rises quickly, but England have Courtney Lawes and other locks who can play at six, reducing his chances. Ludlam has versatility, experience and leadership in his favour, but he will still need to distinguish himself against Wales.
Beautiful backrowers will be left behind. On the bench, Tom Willis will be desperate to be let go at some point for a Test debut and prove he can be a force of nature for his country, as he was in the Top 14 for Bordeaux last season. Jonny Hill is another replacement with a point to prove, while Kyle Sinckler, Bevan Rodd (Mako Vunipola’s absence), Jack van Poortvliet, Ford and Henry Slade fall into the collateral category.
Farrell, Tom Curry, George, Maro Itoje and Jack Willis are not on active duty for this August opener. They all arrived at camp quite late, but they’re also on their way to France, so they’re not needed for what amounts to a high-stakes audition at Principality Stadium.