| 2 Julián Montoya (Leicester)
The third Argentina international to make this list and perhaps the best hooker in the world right now. If England supporters think their opening World Cup pool game against the Pumas in Marseille in September is a foregone conclusion they have clearly not been paying attention to Montoya’s reliable impact at the breakdown and his relentless appetite for the hardest yards. If anyone deserves an off-season break it is him, but his old Leicester coach Borthwick will still be extremely wary of his ability this autumn. 3 Nick Schonert (Sale)
A tight call at tight head where Dan Cole’s resurgence has given hope to mature props everywhere. In the past Schonert has suffered from ill-timed injuries but he has started regularly for the Sharks this season and has been one of the forward pillars that have helped to propel Alex Sanderson’s side to the top two in the table. Although Cole may yet have something to say about that when Leicester travel to Salford on Sunday. 4 Jean-Luc Du Preez (Sale)
Another big reason why Sale have been such a compelling force this season. The Du Preez family are clearly a hard-nosed bunch but the lock resembles one of those 4x4 vehicles that show their true value when the going gets tough. Relentless, physical and a force of nature, he is a perfect example of the formidable talent that leaves South Africa for more lucrative pastures. Has to be included in this team, even if it was his brother who was officially shortlisted for Premiership player for the season. 5 Ollie Chessum (Leicester)
Deservedly established himself in England’s pack this season and would have been a key man in Leicester’s run-in had injury while on international duty not cruelly sidelined him. Leicester have plenty of other physical options in their squad, with George Martin among those finishing the season strongly, but Chessum is clearly the type of player that Borthwick particularly likes. While Rob Simmons at London Irish has been quietly influential and Sale’s Jonny Hill could yet add another Premiership medal to his collection, the 22-year-old Chessum has every chance of a lengthy Test career. 6 Tom Pearson (London Irish)
Picked ahead of some highly talented alternatives but anyone who has watched London Irish this season will not be at all surprised. Maybe there will be tougher days ahead, but if England are searching for a World Cup squad bolter they need look no further. Rangy, athletic, hard-working and a strong ball carrier, Pearson almost feels like a throwback to an era when English back-rowers were the envy of the world; his development from here will be fascinating. A warm mention in dispatches, too, for Saracens’ Theo McFarland, Bath’s Ted Hill and Irish’s Juan Martín González. 7 Ben Earl (Saracens)
As with Pearson, it is impossible to leave Earl out of this year’s team. Which makes it all the more ironic that England, under Eddie Jones, opted to ignore him. Clearly there is massive competition in the shape of the Curry twins, Sam Underhill and Jack Willis but none of them is as quick off the mark as Earl, who could probably play Test rugby as a centre. When he plays well, so do Saracens, and his probable duel with the excellent Lewis Ludlam will be a key battle in Saturday’s Sarries v Saints semi-final. Leicester’s Tommy Reffell also deserves a special mention. 8 Jasper Wiese (Leicester)
You could pick Billy Vunipola or Sam Simmonds or Alex Dombrandt and still feel pretty happy with life as a selector. That said, if you measure your No 8 by the amount of apprehension he generates among defenders when he bursts off the back of a scrum, there is only one possible pick this season. Wiese would run through brick walls all day if necessary and Leicester have been the fortunate beneficiaries. As with Montoya, you just hope he is allowed a few weeks off to recharge his batteries. If the Tigers retain their domestic title, the South African will be one of the key reasons why. Peak performance Many fine players – and people – are hanging up their boots at the end of this northern hemisphere season and all deserve our best wishes as they disappear into the sunset. Adjusting to life after rugby is not always easy, something that three former Exeter Chiefs players are hoping to highlight by scaling Mont Blanc this September. Kai Horstmann, Phil Dollman and Greg Bateman have seen a number of their former colleagues struggle with their mental health after retirement and are keen to raise awareness and funds for the LooseHeadz Foundation. “When you retire from something like professional sport there is a massive empty void,” says Horstmann. “It takes you a little while to realise that it needs replacing. We are certainly not made for climbing but we wanted to take on something tough that would really push us out of our comfort zone. We also wanted to do something for a sport that has given us so much.” See here for more information or to make a donation. | 