Sam Underhill has not played Test rugby for a full year, and yet his omission from England's World Cup training camp sent shockwaves through the squad.
That the removal of a player on England's very fringes could engender such a strong reaction underscores a strength in depth that can both compel and confound.
Bath scavenger Underhill was one of England's bona fide 2019 World Cup stars, but has had to battle a string of injuries ever since.
The 26-year-old has not had the platform of fitness to state his case to head coach Steve Borthwick.
Yet even those who can be reasonably sure of their place on the plane to France at the end of next month were still stunned when the flanker was cut loose.
England's embarrassment of back-row riches represents a clear strength, and yet the closeness of standard among those loose-forwards leaves the Red Rose coaches with major selection headaches for the tournament.
Borthwick will name his 33-man World Cup squad on Monday, August 7, two days after England's first warm-up Test, against Wales in Cardiff.
The talent in the back-row throws up near endless permutations, and in that area more than any other, balance will be crucial.
Ben Curry will miss the World Cup through injury, Underhill has been released, Top 14 superstar Zach Mercer was deemed surplus to requirements — and Sam Simmonds ruled himself out of contention amid a reasonable expectation of omission.
And England can still boast eight specialist back-row forwards all capable of impressing on the global stage.
Billy Vunipola and Tom Curry have long-term Test pedigree, while Northampton's Lewis Ludlam and Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt have proved regulars in the past 12 months.
Jack Willis remains a Borthwick favourite despite plying his trade at Toulouse, and his brother Tom has impressed in the summer camps ahead of swapping Bordeaux for Saracens.
Tom Pearson's revelatory form at London Irish last year earned him a move to Northampton, and the bullish flanker has set the standards for everyone to follow in England training, according to Borthwick.
Saracens star Ben Earl excelled last term, too, but even then the back-row picture is not quite complete.
Vice-captain Courtney Lawes is clearly on the plane to France, and has as much chance of starting at blindside flanker as he does lock.
George Martin, Ollie Chessum and David Ribbans could all offer another hybrid lock-six option for Borthwick, just to cloud the picture still further.
Earl was the one to admit the depth of feeling on Underhill's departure, with collective minds sharpened again as a result.
"I guess not many nations will have our competition: in 2019 Sam Underhill was one of the players of the tournament," said Earl. "Sam trained brilliantly and it was a shock to us all that he was no longer involved. That really struck home with us."
England could yet trim as many as three of their specialist eight back-rowers. Anyone missing out from here will be especially hard done by.
Some nine front-rowers should make the World Cup roster, with England waiting on Mako Vunipola's injury rehabilitation at prop. Saracens' uncapped tyro Theo Dan has a fine chance of making the cut at hooker, with Harlequins' Jack Walker another battling to be fit in time after injury.
Behind the pack, three scrum-halves and fly-halves should mean Marcus Smith travels alongside captain Owen Farrell and the vastly experienced George Ford.
The back-three picture appears another area requiring careful balance, with Freddie Steward and Anthony Watson strongly in the frame as starters.
Joe Cokanasiga has powered back to fitness to impress in training, and could sneak into the squad.
Elliot Daly's versatility and high quality has found due respect from Borthwick, while Max Malins has starred on the wing in recent times.
Henry Arundell has returned explosive pace stats in training and has the qualities to light up this World Cup, while seasoned Gloucester campaigner Jonny May has been on the periphery but still boasts experience and nous.
Manu Tuilagi, Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade will hand England the ability to deliver both power and guile in midfield, but Borthwick must do more than cover all bases.
The toughest art of selection is to compile a group where the sum proves greater than its parts.
Borthwick can tend towards the pragmatic in both personnel and gameplan, but only the bold and bullish will thrive at this World Cup.
Harness the genuine raw power options at his disposal, and Borthwick has all the materials for an impactful campaign.
