England Rugby World Cup 2023 squad: Steve Borthwick's forward 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 forwards have secured their boarding pass for France and who still has work to do.

Prop

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: five

Dan Cole

World Cup redemption? It would cap off some comeback for England's latest Test centurion, who showed in the Six Nations that he can still dictate scrums.

Chance of selection: Going

Will Collier

Something of a surprise call-up during the Six Nations. Can scrummage well on his day but would take something special to crack the group.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Ellis Genge

Not a lot to debate here. England's vice-captain has been their best player of the last four years and had the edge on Tadhg Furlong in Dublin (in Jaco Peyper's eyes anyway).

Chance of selection: Going

Joe Heyes

Has not been able to crack the match-day squad with his mentor at Leicester, Dan Cole, now squeezing him out of contention.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Joe Marler

Maybe the ship has sailed with Marler turning 33 in July, but you would not rule out another comeback given how well he can scrummage.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Val Rapava Ruskin

Has never really been given enough of a chance despite good domestic form. He is a particularly good carrier and useful around the breakdown too.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Bevan Rodd

Scrummed well against South Africa back in 2021 but not used since. A bit like Heyes, he is stuck between two quality options. Could be a third loosehead.

Chance of selection: Probable

Kyle Sinckler

Not his best tournament but no way he is not involved in France, most likely as the starter.

Chance of selection: Going

Will Stuart

Not used by England in the Six Nations but did train with the squad after recovering from his dislocated elbow. Cole's return complicates things but should not be ruled out if he continues to scrummage well.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Mako Vunipola

England still feel there is a role for him off the bench and can still contribute as a link player in attack and defence, even if his scrummaging might have dipped a touch.

Chance of selection: Going

Hooker

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: three

Luke Cowan-Dickie

Out of the Six Nations with an ankle injury and England missed his physicality around the breakdown and in attack. One of two very good options for England when everyone is fit.

Chance of selection: Going

Tom Dunn

In the battle for the third spot with Jack Walker and continues to be an excellent competitor despite Bath's struggles.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Jamie George

The other main option. Not only a vital senior voice in the side but still has plenty of engine left as well.

Chance of selection: Going

George McGuigan

Must be on the longlist given he was originally included in Borthwick's squad. Swapped Newcastle for Gloucester mid-season.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Jack Walker

Leading the way right now to be the third hooker and he deserved to be capped after good form for Harlequins since switching from Bath.

Chance of selection: Probable

Second row

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: four

Ollie Chessum

The timeframe on his recovery is certainly tight. Chessum's dislocated ankle was a cruel end to a good Six Nations with England. Five to six months is the timeframe for his recovery but England would love to have him.

Chance of selection: Probable

Charlie Ewels

Bath have not given an official injury update on Ewels since December, with the lock recovering from an ACL rupture. A very good line-out caller who Eddie Jones favoured, it is hard to say whether he will be back in time.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Jonny Hill

Handed a late recall but not used against Ireland, having been otherwise overlooked despite being a mainstay of the end of the Jones era. Does offer good size at lock but will need to end the season in form.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Nick Isiekwe

Given the nod over Hill to be on the bench in Dublin having also appeared against Scotland and Italy. Good work-rate but it does not feel as though he is pushing hard for a starting spot.

Chance of selection: Probable

Maro Itoje

An undisclosed health issue was cited by Itoje as a cause for his dip in performance over the past year. He had good moments at the start of the Six Nations, less towards the end but if England are to have a prayer in France they need him fully firing.

Chance of selection: Going

Joe Launchbury

An interesting option as he prepares to join Harlequins following a stint in Japan. If he can provide the physicality we have seen in the past, combined with his 70-odd Test caps, then Launchbury could be a starter.

Chance of selection: Going

George Martin

Replaced Chessum for the final training week and has been in good form for Leicester at lock.

Chance of selection: Probable

David Ribbans

Made a noticeable impact against Ireland, offering plenty of needed heft after being battered by France. That pass against the All Blacks is still fresh in the mind, too. Certainly a strong option.

Chance of selection: Probable

Back row

Players selected in 2019 Rugby World Cup squad: five

Alfie Barbeary

Just cannot stay on the field. A knee issue on his Bath debut was the latest setback but he can be an explosive runner and creates turnovers.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Ben Curry

A real rollercoaster of a tournament having started, been dropped, then returned off the bench. Those cameos as a replacement featured some highlights but would he crack a smaller group?

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Tom Curry

A certain starter and along with Freddie Steward the closest thing England have to a world-class player at present with his tackling and jackaling ability. Just needs to stay fit.

Chance of selection: Going

Alex Dombrandt

The incumbent for now after a slightly underwhelming run of games in the No 8 shirt, which has opened the selection debate again. But on his day, as we've seen from Harlequins, he can be outstanding.

Chance of selection: Probable

Ben Earl

Used at the start but soon dropped from the 23 entirely, having played well for Saracens leading into the Six Nations. That domestic form may continue but England might have seen enough.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Courtney Lawes

Classes as a back-row this time but really Lawes can take up one of the lock slots to create more choice for Borthwick in this area. If fit, and that is increasingly becoming a big if after one appearance off the bench against Wales, then Lawes is definitely picked.

Chance of selection: Going

Lewis Ludlam

Depends how much damage you believe the performance against France did to his cause, because otherwise he quietly had a very solid tournament. Unsure if he cracks England's best 23 with everyone fit, though. Does however bring great leadership.

Chance of selection: Probable

Zach Mercer

Another wildcard. The Top 14 player of the year last season will join Gloucester in the summer and be in the frame for selection. Offers plenty of athleticism and carrying threat.

Chance of selection: Probable

Tom Pearson

Overlooked for this Six Nations but can offer England something they lack – a dynamic ball-carrier with a top offloading game who can break the line. Worth a look.

Chance of selection: Probable

Sam Simmonds

Called up to the squad most weeks until the back end of the competition, suggesting that Borthwick had seen enough (for now). Heading to France next season and we might have seen the last of him in an England shirt.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Sam Underhill

Remember him? Excellent for England four years ago and now the worst of his injuries seem to be behind him. Perhaps England will take another look.

Chance of selection: Unlikely

Billy Vunipola

Not required for the Six Nations, with feedback given to Saracens, but you could argue in looking for more mobility at No 8 they missed Vunipola's power. Could force a recall.

Chance of selection: Probable

Jack Willis

The Toulouse tackling machine – 20 in the first half alone against France – did restore some pride in Dublin and his fetching ability is a weapon Borthwick could do with having at his disposal.

Chance of selection: Going

Tom Willis

Tearing up trees by all accounts over in France with Bordeaux-Begles and potentially the answer to England's No 8 issues given how powerfully he can carry.

Chance of selection: Probable

Which forwards do you want to see at the Rugby World Cup? Join the conversation in the comments section below