England head coach Stuart Lancaster today announced his final 31-man squad ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup as the hosts look to win the title for the first time since 2003.
Rumours have been rife this week with who would make the squad as a number of players competed for the limited space left in the squad whilst former Rugby League star Sam Burgess has been picked ahead of Luther Burrell despite only making his international debut last week against France after only moving across to Union to play for Bath at the start of last season.
Another hotly contested position for Lancaster to decide upon was for the supporting fly-half role behind Owen Farrell as both Danny Cipriani and George Ford looked to impress the selectors although the former failed to convince the hierarchy despite an impressive 20-minute performance in last weekend’s loss to France.
Graham Rowntree also refused to deny Dylan Hartley a place in the squad despite the Northampton Saints front-row serving a four-week ban for headbutting Saracens’ Jamie George.
England World Cup squad
Forwards: Kieran Brookes, Dan Cole, Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Jamie George, Rob Webber, Tom Youngs, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling, James Haskell, Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (c), Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood.
Backs: Danny Care, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Brad Barritt, Sam Burgess, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Mike Brown, Alex Goode, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson.
