England's hopes are high after Six Nations

Six Nations winners England go into the tournament as one of the clear favourites, with Mark Mapletoft’s side eyeing up a first World Championship title since 2016.

- BEN JAYCOCK

England finished fourth in last year’s edition in Mapletoft’s first tournament in charge, with their last triumph coming in 2016 when they beat Ireland in the final 45-21.

Following a pool-stage draw with Ireland 34-34, England swept aside Fiji 53-7 and drew with Australia 2222 before coming unstuck in the semi-finals 52-31 against eventual winners France.

England ended their campaign with a 3rd-place loss to South Africa 22-15 but with a new group and a devastating set piece, there’s reasons for optimism that the Red Rose could be a force in South Africa.

Leicester Tigers versatile forward Finn Carnduff, who can operate in the second row and back row, became the first England U20s player in three years to lead his nation to Six Nations glory back in March.

Carnduff continues his captaincy this summer as the squad’s most experienced player with 15 competitive caps.

In the victorious Six Nations campaign that saw comprehensive wins over Italy, Wales and Scotland before a 32-32 draw with Ireland and then a thrilling 45-31 victory away in France to seal the title, 22 current squad members earned caps in the Championship and recently 18 of the squad made senior competitive appearances for their clubs in the 2023/24 season.