MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 23:49:46| >> :600:3296608:3296608:

Jonny May called up to England's final World Cup squad

Jonny May called up to England's final World Cup squad
© Reuters
England head coach Steve Borthwick replaces Anthony Watson with Jonny May in his final 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has called Jonny May up to his final 33-man squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France.

The 33-year-old has been added to the ranks as a replacement for Anthony Watson, who will miss the tournament with the calf injury he sustained against Ireland earlier this month.

Aside from May's inclusion, the only other alteration from Borthwick's initial squad is Alex Mitchell's call-up in place of Jack van Poortvliet, who joins Watson in the infirmary with his ankle problem.

The absent duo are two of several injury concerns for Borthwick ahead of the pool stage, but Tom Curry (ankle) and George Martin (knee) will both make the journey to Paris.

England suffered their fifth defeat from six matches in Saturday's 30-22 loss to Fiji, where Elliot Daly sat out with a knee concern of his own, but the Saracens man is expected to make a quick recovery.

Borthwick will be without captain Owen Farrell for the first two games of the World Cup due to suspension, while Billy Vunipola will miss his nation's tournament opener as he serves a ban of his own.

England begin their bid for World Cup glory against Argentina on September 9 before also facing Japan (September 17), Chile (September 23) and Samoa (October 7) in Pool D.

ENGLAND WORLD CUP SQUAD IN FULL:

Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester), David Ribbans (Toulon), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Will Stuart (Bath), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Walker (Harlequins), Jack Willis (Toulouse).

Backs: Henry Arundell (Racing 92), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Sale), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Max Malins (Bristol), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), Jonny May (Gloucester), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Manu Tuilagi (Sale), Ben Youngs (Leicester).

ID:522352:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5866:

Click here for more stories about Steve Borthwick

Click here for more stories about England

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Owen Farrell pictured during England training in August 2023
Read Next:
Owen Farrell left out of England squad for Ireland clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!