Rogerson forces way into contention for World Cup spot
Matt Rogerson, the London Irish captain, has emerged as a surprise contender for England’s World Cup squad.
Telegraph Sport understands the uncapped 29-year-old, a versatile back-rower capable of covering blindside flanker and No8, is on an extended list of about 70 hopefuls to have been contacted by England head coach Steve Borthwick.
The list is thought to include other uncapped players such as Theo Dan, the Saracens hooker, and Tom Pearson, Rogerson’s clubmate.
England’s preparations begin at Pennyhill Park on June 12 but they will not be able to integrate players from the Premiership semi-finalists or those employed by French clubs, such as Zach Mercer and the Willis brothers – Tom and Jack – until later in the summer.
Those from Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers will join the camp on June 19. Because of the mandatory five-week holiday, Saracens and Sale Sharks players will not be brought in until July 2.
Scrum-half is another area that will need to be covered early in the summer given that none of Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs or Alex Mitchell will be available until June 12, with Raffi Quirke unable to join until July. That could open the door for Danny Care and Ben Spencer.
Rogerson’s recognition comes amid ferocious competition for back-row spots, yet is just reward for his consistency. Born in Lancaster, he signed his first professional contract with Sale Sharks before joining Jersey Reds in 2017.
A year later, he joined Irish and has become a fixture in a dynamic back row. He featured in 15 Premiership matches for the Exiles this season, his second as club captain.
Borthwick is fond of resourceful, industrious back-rowers and the graft of Rogerson, a capable lineout jumper who scored from close range against Saracens last month, has underpinned an impressive season for Irish. According to Opta, he averaged just over 14 tackles per 80 minutes.
With back-row candidates such as Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, George Martin, Ben Earl, Nick Isiekwe and the Curry brothers – Tom and Ben – all unavailable for the start of England’s preparations, Rogerson and Pearson are poised to stake their claim.