England squad for Rugby World Cup 2023: Full list of players selected by Steve Borthwick

When it comes to Rugby World Cups, or any World Cup in any sport for that matter, two words are never far away — England expects. Preparation for the 2023 edition hasn't quite gone to plan for head coach Steve Borthwick, but having picked 16 of 2019's runners-up in his squad, England have the depth and experience necessary to make a real impression in France.

Taking over from the sacked Eddie Jones at the end of 2022, Borthwick has struggled to improve both the style of play and results of an England side who have won just three of their nine matches this year, finishing fourth in the Six Nations and losing three of their four World Cup warm-ups, the most recent of which was a first ever loss to Fiji.

However, the 2023 World Cup squad contains vast amounts of experience, with over 1,400 caps between the 33 players selected, four of which are centurions. Scrum-half Ben Youngs leads the way with 124 to his name alone, and is joined in the squad by fellow nines Danny Care and Alex Mitchell, the latter replacing injured starlet Jack van Poortvliet.

MORE: Rugby World Cup 2023: Matches, results, pools, schedule, fixture list for tournament in France

In the back-line, Henry Slade is the surprise omission having been integral in the side's run to the 2019 final, with France-based outside backs Joe Marchant and Henry Arundell set to provide some of the x-factor England have been sorely lacking in recent months. Jonny May also fits that bill, another late inclusion following an injury to Anthony Watson.

In the pack, Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes will front up as they share co-captain duties for England at the tournament, while further back in the scrum, exciting Saracens youngster Ben Earl looks set to deputise at number eight for Billy Vunipola, who is suspended for England's first match after a red card against Ireland.

Owen Farrell will miss the World Cup group games against Argentina and Japan.#BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/XPlXxwRaTB

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 22, 2023

Owen Farrell will lead England in 2023 as he did in 2019, but a suspension for a careless high tackle against Wales in the first warm-up match also rules him out of the first two pool stage matches. That means it's a straight shoot-out between George Ford and Marcus Smith to don the 10 jersey in the crucial opening game against Argentina, before England face Japan, Chile and Samoa in Pool D as they aim to gather momentum and reach the quarter-finals.

England full 2023 Rugby World Cup squad

Steve Borthwick's 33-player squad is split 19 to 14 in terms of forwards and backs respectively, with four players — Dan, Walker, Rodd and Martin, each having the lowest number of caps in the squad, with three apiece.