England’s fringe players were handed a golden opportunity to stake their claim for Steve Borthwick’s Nations Championship squad in Vannes on Friday night.
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Instead, a disjointed England XV slumped to a 35-19 defeat against a France XV side that looked sharper, more accurate and far more clinical throughout.
With Borthwick set to name his squad on Monday, some players boosted their chances. Others may have seen their hopes take a serious hit.
Here are five England stars whose auditions failed to impress.
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5. Ted Hill
Few selections generated more intrigue than Ted Hill’s inclusion at blindside flanker.
The Bath forward has enjoyed an impressive club campaign and many expected him to make a major statement. While Hill worked hard defensively, he struggled to impose himself on the contest as France’s back-row regularly got the better of England around the breakdown.
With fierce competition from the likes of Henry Pollock, Sam Underhill and Ben Earl, Hill needed a standout performance. He didn’t get one.
Replacement: Henry Pollock
