With just 12 Tests remaining before the Rugby World Cup, Steve Borthwick has made it clear that he wants an England training squad packed with genuine contenders for a place in the final squad. England have an upcoming three-day training camp ahead of the Autumn Nations Series for which Borthwick has named a 36-player squad which will gather at England's performance centre at Pennyhill Park. England will face Australia, Japan and New Zealand throughout November, in a series that represents their final opportunity to test themselves against southern hemisphere opposition before the Rugby World Cup.
It means Borthwick is already keeping a close eye on his players, knowing that he will soon be approaching the selection of his 33-man squad to travel down under and face Tonga, Zimbabwe and Wales in the pool stage. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Although the challenge is considerable, Borthwick is eager to see how his side perform as players seize their opportunities to prove they deserve to represent England on rugby's biggest stage. "It is a hugely exciting period.
I think this team is an exciting team. It's got so much talent and so many young players coming through with so much ability," Borthwick told Sky Sports. "As I framed it to the players, we've got 12 Tests now to the World Cup.
We have got 10 tests until I name a 33-man squad that goes to the World Cup. "I said, effectively, I am not going to bring in a large training squad, I am going to bring in a squad that has everybody in contention for selection for that 33. "So, there's only nine tests until I name that squad.
This is the last chance we will have the team playing against the Southern Hemisphere opposition before we get to that World Cup. "I am really looking forward to seeing how the players face against this calibre opponent, this type of opponent, the way they play, coming off the schedule they come off, where they've been in camp for a long period of time and played a number of Test matches. So, just how close is Borthwick to settling on his strongest side?
Perhaps closer than many might expect, with the England head coach making it "clear" that more than 20 players are already firmly in contention for selection. He will continue to back those players as they look to cement their places in the squad. "I think it is a very consistent feeling.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
