Not sure about building the team around them but they should all be in the squad. J Willis is a unique player who has that X factor. T Willis is vying with Dombrandt to be the best 8 England have for me. Atkinson is probably still behind Smith, Ford for now but he’s the sort of player you’d want to get involved.
+2
I felt that our team was too often in recent years able to put out a more cohesive and plain better back row than England were. Shields, and Willis x 2 was rather more coherent a choice than a SR, a slow and past it 8 and an exhausted 7 who'd lost form, in 2021...
But I'd want Jack around the team - if he's 30 at the next RWC then that's about the mix of experience and fitness needed. Ditto Tom in many ways. The way he took on teams (I remember vs the EA's when OF got a red for decking Charlie "accidently") and showed form as an 8 in the Lol mode that isnt around so much these days.
Charlie may end up being the next Daly in many ways. Excellent at 10 and 15 and the man (like Daly) you'd want on the bench as he covers so much and...can come on and change a game - in his case from 10.
But I'm just hoping Borthwick can take the players with him....including those three for starters.