After the RWC 2023 concludes, we are about to embark on a new chapter in the history of England rugby. Steve Borthwick’s England Six Nations team achieved a remarkable performance, nearly missing the RWC final, but finally won bronze medals. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book England Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
The iconic careers of Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes for England came to an end with their triumph over Argentina in the third-place play-off. With 127 test matches under his belt. Youngs concluded his international career as the most-capped player for the England men’s team. Meanwhile, vice-captain Lawes was left off of the team for the bronze medal match.
Courtney Lawes Hung up
After England’s semi-final loss to South Africa, Lawes hung up his England boots for the final time. With 105 caps, he was the fifth-most-capped player in England’s history. Three more England players are the subject of growing suspicion regarding their futures. Joe Marler, a seasoned prop, and winger Jonny May are all approaching the end of their international careers.
And thus, the relentless grind of a rugby season continues; the Six Nations 2024 will begin in four months. Borthwick may utilize February and March to introduce new players to England’s preparations for Australia’s 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle.
Here are our predictions for the England team led by Steve Borthwick for the Six Nations 2024.
England: Back Three
15. Marcus Smith: Harlequins
14. Freddie Steward: Leicester Tigers
11. Anthony Watson: Leicester Tigers
One of the most contentious decisions of the Rugby World Cup has been Borthwick’s transition of Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith to fullback, which has caused rifts among England supporters. Despite being a brilliant addition in the easy victory over Chile, the much stronger Fijians left the dynamic playmaker battered and wounded.
We anticipate that Borthwick would stick with his “Smith-Fullback” plan and move the dependable Freddie Steward to the right flank, much like he did in the Third-Place Play-Off against Argentina. Steward, who has excelled at wideout for the Leicester Tigers in the past, adjusted to his new role with ease.
Regarding the left flank, Borthwick appears to be asking Anthony Watson to rejoin England as Jonny May’s international career appears to be ended. Watson was originally selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup by Borthwick, however, he was forced to withdraw from the competition due to a summertime calf injury. Rugby fans can book England vs Ireland Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Henry Arundell a thrilling Player
May was added later on, and as the Gloucester player has all but retired from international competition. Watson, a former Leicester player, can now return to Borthwick. Even though it would be thrilling to have Henry Arundell back in the starting lineup. We anticipate that the Racing 92 player will sit on the bench during the opening Six Nations games.
Arundell’s RWC journey came to a disappointing conclusion. He hardly touched the ball in the bronze medal match versus Argentina. Though Arundell’s thrilling performances for London Irish won him the hearts and minds of Twickenham supporters.
He may well need to demonstrate himself to Borthwick once more. Arundell is still able to play in the Six Nations 2024. He should be at least available for Borthwick’s match on match day 23 even if he is heading to pursue his career in the French Top 14.
England: Centers
13. Ollie Lawrence: Bath Rugby
12. Manu Tuilagi: Sale Sharks
Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence, a relatively young relationship on the international level, appear to be Borthwick’s best midfield pairing for the Six Nations 2024. This follows Joe Marchant’s departure to Stade Francais, which put an end to the center’s nine-year tenure at Harlequins. Marchant played a crucial role for England in the RWC.
But he chose to remain in Paris for the whole of the competition rather than return home. Despite being ineligible to play for England right now. Marchant has made no secret of his desire to wear the red rose in the future. Marchant’s situation is different from Henry Arundell’s because he relocated voluntarily from Quins to France. Whereas Arundell lost his job as a result of the London Irish financial crash.
Therefore, we anticipate that Tuilagi and Lawrence will lead the England midfield for the foreseeable future. Lawrence will probably start alongside the Sale Sharks player in the 2023 Six Nations after applying pressure on Tuilangi for the starting place.
More specifically, Borthwick has already shown interest in Guy Porter of Northampton. After the Saints player was named to the larger training squad for the RWC. Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs may potentially want to rejoin England after being left out of Borthwick’s 33-man World Cup roster.
Expect a lot of strong crashball carries from this midfield tandem. He played together for 29 minutes in the RWC quarterfinal matchup against Fiji.
England Halfbacks
10. George Ford: Sale Sharks
9. Alex Mitchell: Northampton Saints
George Ford is expected to join the England squad for the Six Nations 2024 tournament after captain Owen Farrell announced his retirement from international duty. As previously said, Marcus Smith should be able to maintain his success at fullback. It might pave the way for Fin Smith, a 21-year-old fly-half for the Northampton Saints, to be given an “apprentice” position.
Fin Smith won’t likely see a lot of playing time with Smith and Ford both in the lineup. But the young Saint will benefit greatly from the opportunity to develop in the England camp.
With Ford being 30 and Farrell being 32, it would be unlikely to see both halfbacks at the 2027 RWC. Thus it would be best to start introducing the next generation as soon as possible. Farrell is anticipated to return to England in late 2024. Fin Smith’s superstar abilities might be shown to the English public with a debut versus Italy. Sowing the seeds for future success.
Addition of Alex Mitchell
Alex Mitchell was a late addition to the RWC team. But he made the most of his opportunity despite not being included in the original roster. In a Summer warm-up match versus Wales, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet suffered a late ankle injury. Mitchell was sent out to replace him. During the RWC, Mitchell developed into Borthwick’s top scrum-half.
He may be able to hold this position for the Six Nations 2024. Most likely, van Poortvliet would follow Mitchell to claim the number 21 shirt. The goal of the Tigers halfback is to make the most of his playing time and force the Northampton scrum-half to give up his starting shirt. Ben Youngs’s official retirement from international play has made room for van Poortvliet and Mitchell to flourish.
Although Danny Care has hinted that he does not currently have any plans to retire from the England national team. Our choice for a third-choice scrum-half to provide a seasoned voice to the England camp during the Six Nations 2024 is the Harlequin.
England: Front Row
1. Ellis Genge: Bristol Bears
2. Jamie George: Saracens
3. Will Stuart: Bath Rugby
Now let’s move on to the forwards, an area that will see significant alteration in Steve Borthwick’s new era. Joe Marler and Dan Cole, two of our best loose and tight-head props, are expected to retire from international duty. Ellis Genge and Will Stuart are expected to take their place. During the Rugby World Cup, Genge assumed a leading role in the number one jersey.
Should Marler step down, the Baby Rhino will assume complete leadership for the Six Nations 2024. More mystery surrounds the tight-head prop position since, during the RWC, Dan Cole played a pivotal role despite doubts about his future with England. Four of England’s matches, including the quarterfinal and semifinal phases, were begun by the 36-year-old.
The Bristol Bears prop failed to make the kind of impression he had wanted for in France, as the longtime Leicester player passed Kyle Sinckler to claim the number three shirt. Cole’s departure would allow Will Stuart, who has put together a run of strong performances, to take over at tight end and pressure Sinckler in the 2023 Six Nations.
Captain of Six Nation 2024
It is also anticipated that Hooker George will be chosen as the Six Nations 2024 captain. Stuart might be the one to start in this revamped England team if Borthwick decides to take the initiative and push him forward. Jamie George’s Saracens understudy Theo Dan is expected to wait a little while longer for the replacements, but we can still make out a slot for him between the props.
Since assuming the reins from Dylan Hartley in 2017, George has been without a doubt England’s finest option at hooker. In the lead-up to the 2027 RWC, Dan is in the best possible position to learn from and get better under George, who may be preparing to hand the baton to his club and countrymate.
Second Row
4. Maro Itoje: Saracens
5. Ollie Chessum: Leicester Tigers
England’s most dependable option for packing down the scrum has gradually evolved into the second-row duo of Ollie Chessum and Maro Itoje.
Both Saracens and Leicester Tigers collaborated well during the Rugby World Cup, and we anticipate that they will do so again for most of the Six Nations. But George Martin, Chessum’s teammate at Leicester, did put himself forward for selection and would very well be able to start against Italy in the first round.
Martin’s strong tackles were put to use right away against the formidable Springboks in the semi-final matchup with South Africa, where he was chosen to start. Martin appears to have the advantage over Chessum in this area, and a strong showing versus the Azzurri would strengthen his arguments to unseat his Welford Road colleague at the starting position.
Itoje’s outstanding RWC campaign makes it unlikely that he will lose his spot in Borthwick’s second row. The Sarries star gave England supporters much to cheer about ahead of the Six Nations 2024, displaying his best qualities once again in France.
Absence of David Ribbans
Because the second rower accepted a transfer across the channel to Toulon, England will be missing David Ribbans for the Six Nations 2024. There will be a familiar face for England supporters as the former lock for Northampton Saints has conceded that he will not be able to play for Borthwick’s team in the future.
After Toyota Verblitz, a Japanese team, selected Joe Launchbury after the Wasps collapse. Launchbury signed with Harlequins before the 2023–2024 season. Launchbury, who will play for England for the first time since the 2022 Six Nations, is still young at thirty-two years old. Using Launchbury’s international experience.
Borthwick may decide to call up the recently promoted Quins player for an intermittent stint in the Six Nations 2024 team now that the lock is back in England. Should Borthwick choose to utilize the 60-cap England international, Launchbury may play a supportive veteran role and provide a more than competent run-out.
Back Row
6. Sam Underhill: Bath Rugby
7. Ben Earl: Saracens
8. Alex Dombrandt: Harlequins
The back-row for Borthwick’s team has changed as a result of Courtney Lawes’ withdrawal from international competition. The England number six shirt will be up for grabs between Lewis Ludlam and Sam Underhill. In the match against Los Pumas, Ludlam is anticipated to bring the ‘Under-Curry’ combination back together, and Underhill may substitute himself at number eight.
Number eight
In England’s Pool D victory over Japan, Ludlam was selected by Borthwick to start at number eight, and the Saints player celebrated the milestone with a well-executed try. After trailing Ben Earl for most of the Rugby World Cup, it’s becoming more difficult to find room for specialist number eight Billy Vunipola among the match-day 23 players.
While it would be audacious to completely exclude Vunipola from the team, we have decided to focus on the future and add Zach Mercer, an underappreciated star for Gloucester, and Tom Willis, a rookie to Saracens, to the larger training group. Due to a hip injury, Curry will miss the whole Six Nations 2024. Following surgery, the Sale Sharks player may miss the remainder of the season.
Sadly, this has eliminated the former Wasps player from consideration for any upcoming England appearances. His brother Tom, who returned to the Premiership from Bordeaux-Begles, is included in our projected team.
Replacements
16. Theo Dan: Saracens
17. Bevan Rodd: Sale Sharks
18. Kyle Sinckler: Bristol Bears
19. George Martin: Leicester Tigers
20. Lewis Ludlam: Northampton Saints
21. Jack van Poortvliet: Leicester Tigers
22. George Ford: Sale Sharks
23. Adam Radwan: Newcastle Falcons
More Members of the Squad: Expanded Training Group
24. Val Rapava-Ruskin: Gloucester Rugby
25. George McGuigan: Newcastle Falcons
26. Tom West: Saracens
27. Joe Launchbury: Harlequins
28. Zach Mercer: Gloucester Rugby
29. Tom Willis: Saracens
30. Danny Care: Harlequins
31. Fin Smith: Northampton Saints
32. Guy Porter: Northampton Saints
33. Elliot Daly: Saracens
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