Who is in Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the Rugby World Cup and who is looking over their shoulder?

There is only a week left until Steve Borthwick confirms his England squad of 33 for the World Cup.

Time is running out for fringe candidates to make their case – during training at the Red Rose base in Surrey and then, for the chosen few, during Saturday’s game against Wales in Cardiff.

Shortly after that game – the first of England’s four pre-tournament warm-ups in August – the head coach will have the uneasy task of informing several players that weeks of grueling graft have been in vain as they won’t make the cut for the worldwide showpiece.

By now, Borthwick will have most decisions clearly in his mind, but his overhaul of the national team was such a rushed mission that there is still great uncertainty from the outside about who will be included and who will be left behind. .

Here, Mail Sport examines the key issues leading up to this momentous week and tries to predict how the frenetic battle for seats will unfold…

Back three

This is one of the most overcrowded areas, especially in light of Cadan Murley’s unexpected call-up to the training squad on Sunday.

A cull will be required soon. Freddie Steward is the nailed starting full-back, but there are also contrasting candidates vying to make it to 33. Anthony Watson will almost certainly be chosen, as a proven finisher prized by Borthwick, and Henry Arundell’s high-octane X-factor threat also makes him anything but a shoo-in.

Elliot Daly’s skill as a long-range goalkeeper who can operate at full-back, on the wing or in center should give him a strong chance, then it comes down to probably just one of the giant Joe Cokanasiga, Murley, prolific veteran Jonny May or Max Malins, with the latter likely to be included.

Freddie Steward is England’s nailed starting full-back, but decisions have to be made elsewhere

It seems likely only one of Jonny May (left) or Max Malins (right) will make the squad, with the latter likely to be included

Centre

The midfield comparison hinges on how Borthwick intends to deploy captain Owen Farrell. With George Ford firmly back in the picture, the head coach can think about restoring Ford and Farrell’s trusty 10-12 axle, as he has suggested.

In that case, only one starting spot would be open to a full center, which in turn means it would make sense to only include three.

Those three should definitely be Ollie Lawrence – if he’s fit, Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi.

Guy Porter will most likely be released, but Joe Marchant’s prowess in the air and ability to also play on the wing would make him a useful asset to the team. Daly can provide outside cover in the middle.

Ollie Lawrence will definitely be on the plane as one of the three absolute top centers when he gets fit

Joe Marchant’s prowess in the air and ability to play on the wing make him a useful asset to the squadron

Half back

Borthwick has already suggested he will take three scrum halves this time around and avoid the kind of disruption England experienced four years ago when Ben Spencer was rushed to Japan for the final after Willi Heinz was injured.

So Danny Care is destined to join Jack van Poortvliet and Ben Youngs in the selected 33 this time around. In fly-half, the hierarchy has shifted, but the top three 10s will remain; Captain Farrell, Ford and Marcus Smith.

While Farrell and Ford are the ones destined to pull off the Red Rose charge, Borthwick knows Smith can provide a creative spark that could be needed within a largely pragmatic game plan.

First row

In tighthead prop the scenario is simple; the three men who trained will make it – Kyle Sinckler as first choice, with Dan Cole and Will Stuart vying for the role of understudy.

In debauchery, it comes down to whether Mako Vunipola recovers from an injury in time. If he does, the Saracen should join Ellis Genge and Joe Marler, but his hopes may now fade, so Bevan Rodd will be picked if the older Vunipola brother is ruled out.

Hooker is another position where injury is a factor. Jamie George is the sure starter, but one from Jamie Blamire or rookie prospect Theo Dan could be missing when Jack Walker returns to full training soon.

George Martin (left) could make the cut at the expense of more established Jonny Hill (right)

Second row

In closing, it becomes Maro Itoje plus one, so the team’s selection comes down to finding a balance throughout the pack’s back-five area.

Courtney Lawes is a front-runner to wear No. 6, but competition in the back row is so fierce that it could be designated as a slot to create more space.

He and Itoje – on a push – have that positional adaptability, which is also something that could work in favor of Leicester’s George Martin, perhaps even at the expense of the more established Jonny Hill.

Ollie Chessum is in urgent rehab mode and if he is almost fully fit, expect him to be picked as well.

Back row

Arguably the cutthroat part of the roster considering that Sam Underhill, Sam Simmonds and Zach Mercer have already been sent back to their clubs.

Many good players are going to miss it, with Ben Earl, Tom Pearson and Tom Willis all now in a vulnerable situation. The latter is in danger of being dropped now that Billy Vunipola is back in training after knee surgery, with Alex Dombrandt more likely to take his place at number 8.

Tom Curry’s place is assured and Jack Willis is another supreme specialist on the open side, while Lewis Ludlam has more experience and leadership credentials to beat Earl and the highly regarded Pearson.

The current depth of back row English talent is truly remarkable.

England’s back row talent is remarkable, and Tom Willis (left) could miss it now that Billy Vunipola (right) is back in training