Eight England players whose RWC journeys will end this Autumn

There’s a scene Creed – one of the more recent instalments of the long-running Rocky franchise – where the eponymous character played by Sylvester Stallone tells Adonis Creed that: ‘Time takes everybody out; time’s undefeated.”

And it’s every bit as true in rugby union as it is in boxing, if not arguably more so.

As the 2023 Rugby World Cup approaches, we look at a number of England players who – if selected – will almost certainly play in their last tournament this year when they compete for the Webb Ellis trophy for the final time.

Dan Cole – 40 years old in September 2027. Cole’s return to England fold has been a joyous one for the Leicester prop but given he didn’t expect to be in the mix for the 2023 World Cup until recently, it’s safe to assume 2027 is not a realistic goal.

Jamie George – Nearing 37 years of age in September 2027. A try-scoring hooker with plenty of experience, George has been a key part of the England and Saracens squad for many years. With 77 caps to his name already, George will very likely be making his final World Cup bow in France.

Mako Vunipola – 36 years old in September 2027. A powerful prop with an impressive work rate, Vunipola has been a consistent performer for England since his first cap back in 2012. 36 is doable as a prop but with Ellis Genge already the first-choice loosehead, Australia in four years’ time looks like a stretch.

Ben Youngs – 38 years old in September 2027. A veteran scrum-half with over 100 caps for England, Youngs has been a key player for the team for many years but saw limited game time in the Guinness Six Nations, suggesting making the 2023 tournament will be a battle in and of itself.

Courtney Lawes – 38 years old in September 2027. A versatile lock/flanker, Lawes has been a key part of the England pack for over a decade. He is likely to continue to play an important role in the team’s World Cup campaign but it will surely be his last.

Anthony Watson – 33 years old in September 2027. A talented winger with speed and skill at his disposal, Watson has been a key player for England in recent years but 33 is true elder statesman territory for a winger, a position where pace is king and young guns are generally favoured. The two-time British & Irish Lions tourist has been dogged by injuries in recent years, so another four years of Test rugby might a beyond him.

Owen Farrell – will turn 36 in September of 2027. Using 37-year Johnny Sexton as a yardstick here might be a treacherous proposition, given the Leinster veteran made his Ireland debut a tad late at the age of 24. Farrell on the other hand made his Test bow against Scotland at the age of just 20, suggesting while he’s six years younger than the Irishman, he has nearly as many miles on the clock in the Test arena. With Marcus Smith breathing down his throat, 2027 is looking unlikely.

Manu Tuilagi – will be 36 in September 2027. His participation in France this year isn’t quite a given, even if fit. Australia looks inconceivable for the Sale Sharks wrecking ball, even if his ability to plough through defenders is yet to ebb.