The Rugby Pod give a brutally honest reaction to the England World Cup squad

Season 4 of the Rugby Pod aired this week with hosts Andy Rowe, Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode all returning to the fold. One of the opening topics of the new season circulated around England's 31-man World Cup squad, which was announced on Monday 12th August.

Goode and Hamilton appeared to be positive about the squad announcement with a particular focus on how pleased they were that Northampton back-row Lewis Ludlam had made the cut.

Jim Hamilton was particularly pleased about this news, believing that the 23-year-old had managed to change Eddie Jones' mind, after initially thinking Brad Shields would be in the squad.

Hamilton said: "There was talk of Shields that he might make it, it was just there for him [Ludlam] wasn't it? You talk about taking your opportunity from start to finish... he took that emotion, and what it means to play for your country into the game. Things have got to go right for you. And when you play against Wales and they hit up in those tight channels, that's his game."

Goode on his column for RugbyPass spoke about his worries that England were not bringing enough specialist tighthead props to Japan, claiming that it could be a "major risk". He also stated, however,  that Eddie Jones was doing it his way and that he has the quality at his disposal to win the World Cup.

On the latest episode of this podcast, the former Newcastle fly-half said, "Is it a risk to only take two 9's and two tightheads? Possibly."

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Goode also spoke very highly of England debutant Ludlam on his column saying:

"Lewis Ludlam is clearly an absolute bolter and he was brilliant at the weekend on top of a strong first season as a regular at Northampton. That pride and passion he showed in his performance, as well as during the anthem, was great to see."

England will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (September 22, KO 11:15am UK time) before playing USA Rugby in Kobe (September 26, KO 11:45am UK time), Argentina in Tokyo (October 5, KO 09:00am UK time) and France in Yokohama (October 12, KO 09:15am UK time)