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England Rugby: World Cup Prep & November Tests
26 Oct
Summary
- England squad named for November Tests against Australia, Japan, New Zealand.
- Injuries and midfield selection pose challenges for coach Steve Borthwick.
- Focus is on building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia now less than a year away, England's focus sharpens. Coach Steve Borthwick has revealed a 36-player training squad for the November international series. This squad will face Australia on November 8th, followed by Japan on November 14th, and New Zealand on November 21st.
Borthwick's selections indicate a long-term strategy, with a mix of established players and new faces like uncapped scrum-half Archie McParland and hooker Kepu Tuipulotu. However, recent form and injuries to key players such as Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Seb Atkinson, and Fin Smith present significant challenges. The midfield selection remains particularly uncertain, with Joe Marchant and Will Joseph vying for a spot.
Despite a mixed record in the past year, including just three wins from eight matches, England aims for a strong November performance. This series is crucial for building momentum and confidence ahead of the 2027 tournament, emphasizing the need for established combinations and decisive play.
