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Steve Borthwick and his England players will gather at Pennyhill Park for a short training camp next week.
The England coach already has 25 men signed up on Elite Player Squad contracts but will have more than 30 in camp for the upcoming autumn internationals.
Gone are the days of Eddie Jones calling up left-field bolters nobody has heard of. Borthwick is far more consistent in his selection.
Here, Daily Mail Sport looks at some of the players who could force their way into Borthwick’s plans for the matches against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina in November.
1. SEB ATKINSON
Age: 23 Position: Centre Club: Gloucester
The England No 12 shirt is there for the taking as the World Cup edges closer. Borthwick has never settled on a midfield combination and Atkinson impressed during the summer tour of Argentina, winning his first two caps.
Gloucester coach George Skivington recently claimed the 23-year-old registered better fitness scores in the pre-season ‘bronco’ tests – shuttle runs of 20m, 40m, and 60m to check endurance – than any other player in the world.
But senior players on the summer tour were more impressed with his tactical grasp of the game – in defence and attack – so the jersey seems his to lose.
Seb Atkinson impressed his England team-mates during their summer tour of Argentina
Atkinson’s pre-season fitness scores were off the charts according to his Gloucester coach George Skivington
2. GUY PEPPER
Age: 22 Position: Flanker Club: Bath
Competition for the back row is fierce but Pepper is proving to be the most consistent operator in the Prem.
His disruptive presence on the pitch has been compared to that of All Blacks legend Richie McCaw, after making defensive interventions with his tackling and turnovers week in, week out.
He has forged a winning mentality with Bath and could be fast-tracked into England’s matchday squad if Tom Curry does not recover from a wrist injury.
He took full advantage of Curry’s absence over the summer to win his first three caps for England, setting up Jack van Poortvliet’s match-winning try to seal a 2-0 series win in Argentina.
Bath’s Guy Pepper has been compared to New Zealand legend Richie McCaw
Pepper could be drafted into the England team if Tom Curry doesn’t recover from a wrist injury
3. NATHAN JIBULU
Age: 22 Position: Hooker Club: Sale Sharks
The young hooker has made an immediate impact since joining Sale from Harlequins.
He is blessed with raw power and Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson believes Jibulu is one of the best ball-carriers he has coached. With young Theo Dan left off the latest batch of EPS contracts, the door is ajar for the next generation of hookers to make their mark, and Croydon-born Jibulu could fit that bill.
Jamie George will turn 37 at the next World Cup so Borthwick needs to start thinking about his succession plan.
Sale’s young hooker Nathan Jibulu could overtake Jamie George as England’s first-choice
Jibulu has raw power and his ball-carrying has been highly praised by Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson
4. ADAM RADWAN
Age: 27 Position: Winger Club: Leicester Tigers
Radwan has been one of the most exciting wingers in the top flight for years. His game has moved to another level since he left Newcastle for Leicester in January, proving to be the most prolific try-scorer in the Premiership.
He has been repeatedly overlooked due to questions about his aerial game but there are signs that has improved since he moved to the East Midlands.
Henry Arundell offers a similar X-factor and you suspect there will only be room for one of them.
Let’s see if Radwan will be able to add to his two previous caps, which brought four tries including a hat-trick on debut against Canada.
Adam Radwan’s game has gone to another level since he left Newcastle for Leicester
His finishing is not in doubt but there have been questions over his ability under the high ball
5. ALEX COLES
Age: 26 Position: Lock Club: Northampton Saints
A long-term injury to George Martin has left questions around England’s lock stocks.
Coles played almost every minute of the summer tour and is one of the sharpest lineout operators in the Prem. He has won 10 caps so far for his country since his debut in defeat by Argentina at Twickenham in 2022.
With Borthwick under pressure to manage the workload on Maro Itoje, who broke the agreed match limit last season, Coles may well find himself in the front line come the autumn fixtures.
Alex Coles could help take the pressure off England captain Maro Itoje
Coles, 26, has won 10 caps but has yet to nail down a place in England’s matchday squad
6. MAX MALINS
Age: 28 Position: Winger/full-back Club: Saracens
Following an injury-plagued spell with Bristol, Malins has quickly rediscovered his groove with Saracens.
He has returned to the club as a senior figure and showcased his silky ball-playing skills against Bristol last weekend.
With the versatility to play full-back and winger, Malins looks like a player who deserves a second chance in the Test arena, particularly if Elliot Daly does not recover in time for the series.
Malins won his first England cap five years ago now, under Eddie Jones in the behind-closed-doors Autumn Nations Cup, and has gone on to play 22 times for his country, scoring two tries.
Winger Max Malins, seen here touching down against Northampton, is back in the try-scoring groove with Saracens
If Elliott Daly does not recover from injury, Malins could come back into England contention
7. MAX OJOMOH
Age: 25 Position: Centre/fly-half Club: Bath
More established as a midfielder, Ojomoh has demonstrated his all-round game while keeping Bath’s No 10 jersey warm.
He has been providing cover for Finn Russell, who is on Lions rest, and has been closely mentored by the Scottish fly-half.
Centre Max Ojomoh has impressed while keeping Finn Russell’s No 10 shirt warm at Bath
Rugby is in the 25-year-old’s blood – his father, Steve, won 12 caps for England between 1994 and 1998.
And Ojomoh Jnr emulated him by making his England debut in the USA this summer, playing the full 80 minutes in Washington DC in a 40-5 win.
Ojomoh’s passing ability has caught the eye and he runs sharp support lines in attack.
Lee Blackett has recently taken over as England’s attack coach, and Ojomoh has the advantage of having worked with him at Bath over the past couple of years.
