Seven Saracens named in England Rugby World Cup Training Squad

Saracens have had seven players selected in the England Training Squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Tom Willis, Elliot Daly and Owen Farrell have all been called up to the 41-player squad which will assemble at The Lensbury on Sunday 2 July for England’s first official training camp.

Uncapped duo Theo Dan, and new signing Tom Willis have been rewarded for standout seasons with a place in the squad in a huge boost for both.

While not named in the squad, Mako Vunipola and  Billy Vunipola will continue their rehabilitation and are still considered for selection for England’s 33-player Rugby World Cup squad which will be announced in August.

"We’re excited to be able to bring a full training squad together for the first time and focus on the next stage of our World Cup preparations,” said Head Coach Steve Borthwick.

“I am pleased with the balance of the squad, which blends experience with youth.

“Our preparation camps over the last three weeks have allowed those players who didn’t feature in the Premiership final to start to get physically equipped for a World Cup campaign.

“The attitude of the players has been excellent, and I have seen a group who have wholeheartedly committed to what we have asked of them.

“We hope today’s announcement is the start of something special for our supporters, who I know are eagerly anticipating the tournament as much as we are.”

Prior to start of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in September, England’s Summer Nations Series matches begin against Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday 5 August (kick off 5.30pm), with a return fixture at Twickenham Stadium scheduled a week later on Saturday 12 August (kick off 5.30pm).

England then travel to Dublin to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 19 August (kick off 5.30pm), before returning to Twickenham Stadium to play Fiji on Saturday 26 August (kick off 3.15pm).