Steve Borthwick has decided to stick by his England flops for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in France after a desperate warm-up campaign that culminated in the humiliating defeat by Fiji on Saturday, with Jonny May clinching the one vacant spot in the 33‑man squad.
May scored England’s opening try against Fiji and, after Anthony Watson was ruled out last week, has sealed his place with Borthwick confirming his final squad on Sunday night. Joe Marler is included after escaping a citing for his upright tackle on Fiji’s Albert Tuisue, while England have also confirmed that Alex Mitchell takes Jack van Poortvliet’s place in the final 33.
