Head coach Steve Borthwick has made notable adjustments to England’s rugby squad by excluding Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly from the 25-man central contract list as preparations continue for the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year. Despite their previous participation in the Six Nations, both players were absent from England’s trio of summer Tests, marking a pivotal shift in Borthwick’s strategy, especially for Lawrence, who had shown promise in England’s win against New Zealand.
New faces in the squad include Northampton forward Alex Coles and Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, alongside Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet, who have been given contracts after not making the cut last year. Daly’s exclusion is particularly striking due to his versatility on the field and Borthwick’s earlier commendations of the 33-year-old. Nonetheless, Daly remains a contender for the broader World Cup squad, which will feature 33 players.
The absence of Lawrence and Daly intensifies competition in England’s midfield and back-three positions. Atkinson emerges as a frontrunner for the inside-centre role, while Opoku-Fordjour’s capacity to play on both sides of the scrum enhances his suitability. Meanwhile, Courtney Lawes and Benhard van Rensburg, a South African-born centre who debuted internationally over the summer, have also been left out of the central contracts. Lawes, though, is still eligible for selection after his return to England.
England’s central contracts, valued at approximately £150,000 annually, allow for more comprehensive control over players’ training and readiness. Borthwick’s current choices provide insight into the athletes who are edging closer to securing their spots in the World Cup lineup, reflecting his evolving vision for England’s rugby future.