The towering David Ribbans has been named in the England run-on XV to face Wales in a World Cup warm-up match at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Also, Marcus Smith has been given the opportunity to play his way into the Roses’ World Cup squad after being picked at flyhalf for the clash in Cardiff.
Smith is preferred for the first of four matches ahead of Owen Farrell and George Ford, both of whom started the English Premiership final on 27 May.
Steve Borthwick names his World Cup squad on Monday, 7 August and, with Smith thought to be behind Farrell and Ford in the pecking order, he has the platform to convince his head coach that a third flyhalf should be taken to France.
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Danny Care joins the 24-year-old at halfback and the team is littered with fringe contenders for the final 33-man group – with no players from Premiership finalists Saracens and Sale present in the starting lineup.
Ellis Genge captains the team but, apart from Care, it is an inexperienced side, with fast-rising Northampton flanker Tom Pearson making his debut at openside.
England play Wales at Twickenham next weekend before fixtures against Ireland and Fiji later in August.
Borthwick’s men launch their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Marseille on 9 September.
Steve Borthwick has named his 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗫𝗩 to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm).#WALvENG #SummerNationsSeries
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 3, 2023
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