England Rugby World Cup 2023 squad: Steve Borthwick's backline options assessed

Two wins out of five will not have been an acceptable return for England head coach Steve Borthwick but then this first Six Nations in charge always felt like a scouting period to assess which players should be going to the Rugby World Cup later this year and who might be surplus to requirements.

With that in mind, Telegraph Sport deliberates over which backs have secured their boarding pass for France and who still has work to do.

Back three

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: six

Henry Arundell

There aren't many tougher places to make a first Test start than Dublin and Arundell made errors. But his turnover was a sign of development and he has pace and threat - if England use him correctly.

Chance of selection: Going

Elliot Daly

Potentially a big winner through his absence. Daly was in decent form before his untimely hamstring injury ruled him out of the tournament. Covering multiple positions boosts his chances, maybe even at 13.

Chance of selection: Probable

Ollie Hassell-Collins

Started against Scotland and Italy before picking up a knee injury and while he returned to the squad before the Ireland match he wasn't picked. Increasingly well-rounded player who deserves another look.

Chance of selection: Probable

Tommy Freeman

Started under Eddie Jones in Australia last summer and was hooked at half-time. Hasn't been used by Borthwick despite squad call-ups. Nine tries in 15 games for Northampton shows he can finish.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Max Malins

The versatility factor is a plus, even though Malins was dropped entirely from the 23 to face Ireland following some defensive positional lapses against France.

Chance of selection: Probable

Jonny May

Not used in this Six Nations despite featuring in the autumn. Is there still room for England's second-highest try scorer of all time?

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Cadan Murley

Regular call-up but yet to play despite his potent finishing ability for Harlequins, with 14 tries so far this season.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Freddie Steward

Don't let a (now overturned) red card get in the way of an excellent campaign for the young full-back, who once again was a rare positive in a tough campaign.

Chance of selection: Going

Anthony Watson

Delightful to see him returning to form after long spells out through injury. Versatile and still a potent finisher if England can get their attack firing.

Chance of selection: Going

Centre

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: four

Fraser Dingwall

The Gallagher Premiership player of the month for February after match-winning tries against Sale and Gloucester was an unused call-up in the Six Nations. Still uncapped, time feels a little short.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Dan Kelly

The first real spanner in Borthwick's project after injury ruled him out of the tournament, having seemed likely to start given his knowledge of Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield's systems at Leicester. There's still time for Kelly to return.

Chance of selection: Probable

Ollie Lawrence

One of the highlights of the campaign with his player-of-the-match performance against Wales, before injury cut his tournament short. Doesn't have the power of Bundee Aki or Jonathan Danty but he's still interesting.

Chance of selection: Probable

Joe Marchant

Started against Scotland and then used off the bench against Ireland, Marchant had an unusual tournament. England saw the best of him against France in 2022 and his impending move to Stade Francais complicates things a little. But, crucially, can cover the wing.

Chance of selection: Probable

Guy Porter

Received one call-up having been a regular towards the end of Eddie Jones' tenure, but would take something special for him to crack the final squad now.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Henry Slade

There is more to come from England's attack (surely) but Slade hasn't been quite as impactful in the Six Nations as he was off the bench in the autumn. Experience should count in his favour, though.

Chance of selection: Going

Manu Tuilagi

Put in enough of a performance in Dublin against Aki to make you feel he still has some juice left, even if he might not be the Tuilagi of old. England badly need front-foot momentum, though.

Chance of selection: Going

Fly-half

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: two

Owen Farrell

Not a lot to debate here, and with Courtney Lawes' fitness uncertain, the captaincy seems likely to be retained by Farrell as well. Don't be shocked if he is moved back to centre.

Chance of selection: Going

George Ford

The return of Ford, once he has played out the season for Sale, feels significant. Borthwick knows that Ford can execute his tactical plan from their time at Leicester.

Chance of selection: Going

Marcus Smith

The use of Smith against France still feels odd but there's a place for him in the World Cup squad, with England still yet to get the most out of his clear talent. Three fly halves would seem a bit of a luxury, which is why Farrell may end up being classed as a centre.

Chance of selection: Probable

Fin Smith

By all accounts has impressed the coaching staff and the next Rugby World Cup cycle feels like his time to challenge, rather than now.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Scrum-half

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: two

Alex Mitchell

Lively cameos against Wales and France generated plenty of excitement and a place in Warren Gatland's Lions 23. He should start one of the warm-ups. Do England trust him enough with their tactical kicking plan? We don't know yet.

Chance of selection: Probable

Raffi Quirke

Has it all to do but is welcomingly fit again for Sale after a broken wrist and will benefit from playing alongside Ford for the rest of the season as Sale chase the Premiership.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Harry Randall

Playing well for Bristol, but again, it's going to need spectacular performances down the stretch to shift the top two names on this list.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Jack van Poortvliet

Sympathy for Van Poortvliet seemed to increase throughout the tournament, given the young scrum-half is learning the ropes in a transitioning side but he was better against Ireland and still the starter.

Chance of selection: Going

Ben Youngs

Unused since the win over Italy, is that the end for England's most-capped men's international? England took two scrum halves to Japan in 2019 but the extra squad places mean they could now take three. Youngs has welcome experience compared to the rest of the candidates.

Chance of selection: Probable

Which backs do you think have secured their boarding pass for France and who do you think still has work to do? Join the conversation in the comments section below