England Rugby's unlucky 'Reject XV'

Eddie Jones announced his 38-man World Cup training squad on Thursday (35 fit and the three rehabilitating players), with some unexpected inclusions and exclusions.

What is noticeable is that there is a host of seasoned and in-form players that have missed out, which is an indication of how much depth England have these days.

Nonetheless, there will be some players that will inevitably feel aggrieved that they have been omitted, either because of the season that they have had, or the career they have had with England. Here is a RugbyPass England XV that are unlucky to miss out:

15 Alex Goode

The European player of the year is possibly the most unlucky out of everyone, but has never been liked by Jones, earning his last cap in 2016 despite his consistency for Saracens.

14 Mike Brown

Although primarily a full-back, Brown must be part of this list for all he has done for England over the past decade. Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, he has slipped out of contention this past year.

13 Alex Lozowski

Perhaps paid the price for a poor showing for England against Japan in the autumn, but his form at the end of the season for double winners Saracens was exemplary.

12 Mark Atkinson

One of a number of Gloucester players to miss out after a brilliant season. Exeter Chiefs’ Ollie Devoto is another centre that gave a good account of himself this year.

11 Ollie Thorley

Announced himself to the Premiership at the beginning of the season with some wonderful displays for Gloucester. The mazy runner was always an outside bet to make the squad, but was pipped by Bath’s uncapped winger Ruaridh McConnochie. He could have been competing with Chris Ashton (who pulled out of the squad) and the injured Denny Solomona for a place as well, as England have a lot of options on the wing.

10 Marcus Smith

The World Cup probably came too early for the 20-year-old Harlequins fly-half who has been in and out of Jones’ squads, but will undoubtedly be part of the next World Cup cycle.

9 Danny Care

Both Danny Care and Dan Robson were both worthy of a place, but Willi Heinz got the third spot behind Ben Spencer and Ben Youngs. However, it is Care’s 84-caps-worth of experience that makes him most unlucky.

8 Sam Simmonds

This time last year, Simmonds would have been on most people’s list to make the World Cup. Unfortunately, a devastating ACL injury in September meant he only returned to rugby with a few weeks of the season remaining and not enough time to make the squad.

7 Chris Robshaw

Had a great season with Harlequins, but it always looked as though Brad Shields was going to beat him to Jones’ squad ever since the New Zealand-born player moved to England. On the other hand, Lewis Ludlam’s selection ahead of the 66-cap veteran may surprise some. At 33 years of age, this will surely spell the end of the former captain’s international career.

6 Alex Dombrandt

Another luckless Harlequins player after a barnstorming season in the Premiership. His ability to play No8 may have earned him a place, as he was one of the bolters to make the squad at the end of the season.

5 Nick Isiekwe

Already with three caps to his name at the age of 21, the dynamic lock has fallen victim to England’s immense depth in that position with Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and Charlie Ewels ahead of him.

4 Nathan Hughes

Although primarily a No8, Jones deployed him as a second row in the autumn and Six Nations which should have given him the edge in the squad. Hughes is a player that has been a regular since making his debut in 2016 but equally never fully secured his place in the squad.

3 Nick Schonert

Included in the initial training squad, but the Worcester Warriors tighthead ultimately missed out as Jones opted for the vastly experienced Dan Coles and Harry Williams who will likely back up Kyle Sinckler.

2 Jack Yeandle

Dylan Hartley is the obvious player here, but it is an injury that has ruined his chances of going to Japan rather than anything else. The ever-dependable Exeter captain Jack Yeandle is more unfortunate as he leads the Premiership runners-up superbly and starts ahead of club colleague Luke Cowan-Dickie, who has made the squad.

1 Val Rapava-Ruskin

A player that was also included in the initial training squad after a powerful season with Gloucester, but was not helped by Joe Marler’s return to the international set-up.

WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary on the many adventures that fans can expect to experience in Japan at this year’s World Cup