Simmonds pulls out of contention for England’s Rugby World Cup squad

England will not be able to select Sam Simmonds for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup after the Montpellier-bound No 8 declared himself unavailable for the tournament. The former Exeter forward has told head coach Steve Borthwick that he does not wish to be considered, boosting the likelihood of Zach Mercer featuring in England’s eventual squad.

Mercer, who has signed for Gloucester having been the Top 14’s player of the year last season is among 28 players who have gathered this week for the first of several preparatory World Cup training camps. The squad does not include players from Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks or Saracens but does feature some interesting names, including the recalled Danny Care and Jonny May and the Gloucester loose-head prop Val Rapava-Ruskin.

Joe Launchbury has not been considered as he is currently nursing a minor injury but the list features four players from London Irish, suspended from the Gallagher Premiership last week. Tom Pearson, Henry Arundell, Will Joseph and the Leicester-bound Ollie Hassell-Collins have had to contend with much uncertainty in recent weeks, culminating with the Exiles entering administration.

Billy Vunipola, Ollie Chessum and Luke Cowan-Dickie will also attend the camp to continue their rehabilitation from injury as England look ahead to their opening World Cup warm-up fixture against Wales on August 5. “We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations,” said Borthwick. “The World Cup is full of top-quality teams and high-quality players and we’re relishing the challenge in front of us. We have lots to get through before our first Summer Series fixture in August against Wales in Cardiff, so the hard work starts now.”

Eng