England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has excluded Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly from the 25-man central contract list as he refines his team in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year. Both players, despite their participation in the Six Nations, did not make appearances in England’s three summer Tests. Lawrence’s exclusion is particularly surprising, considering his standout performance against New Zealand in the past. This shift signals a change in Borthwick’s strategy as he builds his squad.
Meanwhile, Northampton’s Alex Coles and Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour are among the fresh faces added to the roster. New contracts have also been awarded to Seb Atkinson, Guy Pepper, and Jack van Poortvliet, who were not included last year. Daly’s absence is unexpected, considering his adaptability and the previous commendations from Borthwick, especially at the age of 33. Nonetheless, Daly can still be selected for the larger World Cup squad, which will have room for 33 players.
The omission of Lawrence and Daly adds to the intense competition for spots in England’s midfield and back-three positions. Atkinson is now a strong contender for the inside-centre role, while Opoku-Fordjour’s skills on both sides of the scrum bolster his prospects. Courtney Lawes and Benhard van Rensburg, a centre originally from South Africa, have also not been offered central contracts. However, Lawes is still available for selection after returning to England, and van Rensburg, who debuted internationally during the summer, remains in consideration.
Central contracts in England are valued at approximately £150,000 annually and allow the management more influence over player preparation. Borthwick’s recent choices hint at the players who might be pivotal to his World Cup strategy. By leaving out certain experienced players and bringing in new talent, Borthwick is clearly focused on crafting a squad that aligns with his vision for success on the world stage.