Analysing the 9 Additions to England Rugby's Training Squad for the Autumn

England rugby union coach Stuart Lancaster added nine players to the England training squad on Sunday. But while some exciting talent has been added to the setup, two players over 30 have been included who, realistically, are unlikely to play for England again. Here, Bleacher Report analyses the worth of the nine men who have been given a chance to stake a claim for England.

Alex Waller (Prop, Northampton Saints) and Henry Thomas (Prop, Bath Rugby)

Alex Waller, who won Northampton Saints the Premiership final last season with a last-minute try, is a good addition to the training squad. English props are suffering a great deal of injuries and Waller also impressed in the non-cap fixture against the Crusaders in the tour of New Zealand in the summer. As The Daily Telegraph’s Steve James noted: 

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For me prop Alex Waller was England’s outstanding player. England’s set piece was strong and Waller added much more besides with his prominent carrying. It capped an astonishing season for him. 

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The other prop, Henry Thomas, has played seven times for England so his inclusion does not come as a surprise. At 22, he is quickly gaining international experience.

Matt Kvesic (Flanker, Gloucester)

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Matt Kvesic has long been touted as the missing link for England: an “out-and-out” seven, a “fetcher”. However, his and Gloucester’s indifferent form last season pushed him to the fringes of England’s reckoning.

However, like Waller, a strong performance against the Crusaders caught Lancaster’s eye. Speaking after the match, the England coach noted, as per ESPN: “For me the Man of the Match was Matt Kvesic, I thought he was outstanding and it was the best game he's had this season.”

Dave Ewers and Thomas Waldrom (Both Back-Row, Exeter Chiefs)

Dave Ewers has been on Stuart Lancaster’s radar since last autumn. As per The Daily Mail in October 2013, Lancaster noted:“He has played well in two games. We need a consistency in order to make changes. But when players start making that consistency in the Premiership and in Europe over the next two weeks, it is hard to ignore them.”

At 23, and with the aim to get players accustomed to the England squad environment, Ewers is a much better prospect than the final back-rower included, Thomas Waldrom, 31. His fellow Exeter Chief has started the season well, but with Billy Vunipola and Ben Morgan clearly ahead of him for the No. 8 spot, and so much competition at flanker, his inclusion is unnecessary.

Richard Wigglesworth (Scrum-Half, Saracens)

At 31, Richard Wigglesworth is, like Waldrom, a surprising inclusion. One can only assume that it is his understanding with regular England fly-half Owen Farrell at Saracens that has earned him a stint training with England. As with Waldrom, he is unlikely to make an impact.

Henry Slade (Fly-Half/Centre, Exeter Chiefs)

As for Henry Slade, none other than Will Greenwood has been championing his cause. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the World Cup winner suggested Slade could be the ideal foil for Manu Tuilagi in the England midfield. A creative spark, despite Tuilagi’s latest injury, it makes sense to put Slade in the squad. One implication of Slade’s inclusion is that it would seemingly end any slim chances Sale’s Danny Cipriani had of representing England before the 2015 World Cup.

Anthony Watson (Wing/Full-back, Bath Rugby)

Anthony Watson, 20, is a good inclusion. Often regarded as a winger, this season Watson has played at full-back for Bath to good effect. He also scored an excellent try against the Crusaders (see video). Pacey, and with a stride length that enables him to beat defenders, Watson will have a future with England and should be spending as much time with the camp as possible.

Ben Foden (Full-back, Northampton Saints)

Of the older, more experienced heads added to the training camp, Ben Foden has the most to offer. Should anything happen to England’s star of 2014 Mike Brown, then Foden would be the best replacement. Like Brown, he is quick, with an eye for a gap, and a better defender than his physique would suggest. Playing Foden would not entail England changing the way they play, so his addition is very logical.