England Rugby: Christian Wade, Kyle Eastmond and New-Look England

England coach Stuart Lancaster delivered a significant statement of intent by naming six new faces in his elite player squad last week.

With little more than two years until the next Rugby World Cup, Lancaster knows the clock is ticking on his plans to build a side capable of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy. 

England reached the final in 1991, the last time they hosted the tournament, but Lancaster has designs on going one better, and the players promoted last week may just have the talent to make that a realistic ambition. 

England have mostly impressed since Lancaster was charged with turning their fortunes around after a dismal 2012 World Cup. Twice they have finished second in the Six Nations, they comfortably won a series in Argentina this summer, and who will forget that thrilling triumph over New Zealand last November?

But most observers will also concede that England are missing something; they are well-drilled, efficient and kick their goals, but they lack a cutting edge, as was apparent when they were put to the sword in the Six Nations decider in Wales earlier this year.

However, in Christian Wade, Kyle Eastmond and Marland Yarde, England have selected players with real attacking flair, while Billy Vunipola, Matt Kvesic and Dave Attwood add the grunt and go forward which some have accused England's pack of lacking. 

We take a look at Lancaster’s new lads who may just be the players to help deliver World Cup glory for England in 2015.

Christian Wade (Wasps)

Christian Wade’s star has been burning bright for a couple of seasons now, and it was in the 2012-13 English Premiership in which he really caught the eye. His 13 tries made him the league’s joint top scorer and earned him the rare double accolade of winning the Players Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

With a rare turn of speed and genuine eye for the try-line (check out these highlights), Wade’s career trajectory continued when he was called up by the British & Irish Lions as an injury replacement during the tour of Australia.

Wade was with England in Argentina at the time, and though his opportunities with the Lions were limited, it was another ringing endorsement of the 22-year-old, who looks set to claim a permanent spot on the England wing in the near future.

Kyle Eastmond (Bath)

It’s not only Eastmond’s similar physical appearance that has seen him compared to England legend Jason Robinson. His switch from rugby league, dancing feet and eye for a gap have also lead to commentators making the flattering comparison.

Although there are obvious similarities, Eastmond is no Robinson Mk2 and has instead a game more suited to the demands of a busy midfield rather than the wide open spaces of the back three.

Eastmond is fast, has real power generated from his low centre of gravity and an excellent step. But he also has a terrific passing game and a vision that allows him to create space and opportunities for teammates.

He may well be the answer to England’s misfiring midfield, as this collection of highlights shows.

Marland Yarde (London Irish)

Another hugely exciting prospect for England’s wing, Marland Yarde is an out-and-out flier. Give him the ball and expect him to do just one thing: run hard and fast—very fast.

Yarde has been one of the few bright lights in a struggling London Irish team in recent seasons, and his double-try-scoring debut against Argentina was further proof of his ability to trouble defences.

England’s back three mostly have looked solid but ponderous since Lancaster took over. That could all be about to change with Yarde teaming up with Wade to provide real cutting edge out wide.

Matt Kvesic (Gloucester)

England have a wealth of back-row options but in recent years have lacked the option of an out-and-out No. 7, a classic “fetcher” in the mould of England great Neil Back or Australia’s David Pocock.

Matt Kvesic is just that, and he showed in Argentina with his linking play and speed to the breakdown that he has the ability to add real pace to England’s game.

How coach Stuart Lancaster is going to fit Kvesic into his side is another question altogether. But if he wants to quicken the style that England play, which he must do, then Kvesic could well be the player to do that.

Dave Attwood (Bath)

Although England’s scrum and set piece has mostly fared well under Lancaster (the scrum problems against Wales in Cardiff aside), they have at times looked a little lightweight.

At 6’7”, and 115kg, Dave Attwood can certainly provide bulk when England need it. He adds what Lancaster described as a “physical presence”. He also has attitude, as his chequered disciplinary record proves, and this is perhaps where he will be most valued by England.

Attwood claims to have learnt from his past mistakes, and Lancaster will have left him in no doubt of his responsibilities. But his strength in close quarters may prove valuable to England in the seasons to come.

Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

In Ben Morgan, England already have a powerhouse No. 8 that can make serious inroads into the opposition defense. But Morgan is a 60-minute player, and England have lacked a genuine backup, a player who can come on and cause havoc as defenses tire in the closing stages.

Billy Vunipola, younger brother of England and Lions prop Mako, has the running game perfectly suited to that role. A former England U-18 and U-20 player, there is no denying the 20-year-old’s ability to break defenses, nor his liking for scoring tries as he showed when coming off the bench to win his debut cap against Argentina.

At 126kg, Billy Vunipola is a big man, one of the biggest in England’s squad. But he has excellent pace for his size and, like his brother, good hands—good news for England, less so for their rivals.