After an impressive first season with Bath, McConnochie is the only uncapped player in a squad, which contains over 1,000 caps.

Owen Farrell will captain England in his second World Cup campaign, whilst it will be a third for Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs. Cole and Youngs are the most capped in the squad (86).

Following their first caps against Wales on Sunday, which saw England win 33-19 at Twickenham, Lewis Ludlam, Jack Singleton and Willi Heinz are also included.

Bath Rugby's Director of Rugby, Stuart Hooper said: “To play for your Country in a World Cup is a career defining opportunity. To have five of our own in the squad is outstanding. We feel immensely proud of these young men, the journey they have been on, and the work they have put in to get here.

“We all feel Charlie's disappointment, however his growth both as a player and a leader means that he will use this experience and come back even stronger. He put in an impressive performance yesterday and I am looking forward to seeing him kick-on and have his best season yet in the Blue, Black and White."

England have three matches against Wales (17 August), Ireland (24 August) and Italy (6 September) before the tournament starts. Jones said of their importance: “Every game is an opportunity to improve our game fitness, our team cohesion, and our tactical adaptability. Each game for us will have a specific purpose.”

To mark the squad announcement, a special video has been released to celebrate the players’ journey from community club and junior school rugby to their selection in England’s Rugby World Cup squad. Watch the video here.

“The base of our game has always been the grassroots clubs,” said Jones. “Your first club and your first coach is such an important experience for you. It dictates how you approach the game and the spirit and the values you play with.”

He added: “To all the people that have helped the players get here, we have the greatest amount of thanks for all of you.”

The squad will visit Blaise High School (formerly Henbury School) in Bristol this afternoon to speak to media. The school has been involved in the RFU’s All Schools programme since 2012. Over 50 boys and girls involved in rugby programmes at the school and Clifton Rugby Club, which is linked to the school, will take part in rugby sessions involving the players and coaches.

England will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (22 September, KO 11:15am UK time) before playing USA Rugby in Kobe (26 September, KO 11:45am UK time), Argentina in Tokyo (5 October, KO 09:00am UK time) and France in Yokohama (12 October, KO 09:15am UK time).

England's official Rugby World Cup squad

FORWARDS

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps)
George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 59 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 72 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 58 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps)
Jack Singleton (Saracens, 1 cap)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 42 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)
Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons / Sale Sharks, 13 caps)

BACKS

Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 31 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps)
Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 34 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps)

Five Bath Rugby players selected in England's Rugby World Cup squad

Related News