HALFBACKS
10. Owen Farrell (England and Saracens) (Captain)
After much deliberation, we have decided to pick Saracens talisman Owen Farrell to lead the line at fly half. There are three viable options from England alone, as Borthwick juggles with the Farrell-Smith-Ford conundrum. Wales’ best offer for the number 10 jersey is experienced halfback Dan Biggar, with Owen Williams in-tow ahead of young gun Sam Costelow. Farrell is our pick for this Anglo-Welsh squad, and he would also captain the side out at the Rugby World Cup.
9. Jack van Poortvliet (England and Leicester Tigers)
Following the self-withdrawal of Wales scrum half Rhys Webb, we have decided to look towards Borthwick’s former Leicester Tigers man Jack van Pootvliet, to take up the reigns at scrum half. Webb’s departure to Biarritz left a vacancy in the Welsh nine jersey, that a returning Gareth Davies is leading the way to occupy. We give this one to JVP, who is surpassing the mantle of his Tigers mentor Ben Youngs. However Davies is a close runner up for the spot.
FRONT ROW
1. Ellis Genge (England and Bristol Bears)
Amongst the conversation of world rugby’s best loose-head props, Ellis Genge is our pick to start off the selection in the forwards. The Bristol Bears man has come along way since his days as the hot-headed ‘Baby Rhino’, and whilst the nickname has stuck, Genge’s approach to leadership in the big games has drastically increased. A two-test captain for England, Genge is eyeing up his 50th cap, should he come off the bench at Twickenham tomorrow evening.
2. Jamie George (England and Saracens)
Wales have been dealt blow after blow in the forwards, as ahead of the Rugby World Cup they have lost several important veterans. Hooker Ken Owens has been unable to recover from a back injury, with the 2023 Six Nations captain’s vacancy initially filled by a returning Ryan Elias. However, Elias’ comeback from Achilles Tendon surgery ended in a nightmare, with a reported hamstring injury suffered against England last weekend. Elliot Dee is a viable option, but England’s Jamie George gets our pick to add experience and proven big-match success to the front row.
3. Tomas Francis (Wales and Provence Rugby)
71-cap test match tight-head Tomas Francis gets our pick for the Anglo-Welsh XV. Francis has been a reliable hard-hitter both in the scrum and around the park, since he broke onto the seen for Wales in the Summer Series ahead of 2015 Rugby World Cup. England present two viable contenders for this spot, with long-standing tight-head Kyle Sinckler, and the latest challenger for his jersey in Will Stuart.
