There is a new television advertisement out, promoting ITV’s Rugby World Cup coverage. It depicts a man sitting nervously in a darkened room as Tarot cards are read to him.
As each one is flipped over – South Africa: the champions. Ireland: the grand-slammers. New Zealand: the legends. France: the hosts. Japan: the giant slayers. Argentina: the agitators – his eyes flick from side to side. Then the England card is turned over. “The resurrected,” they are named.
The man’s eyes widen with expectation. Many England fans would have felt the same buzz when they saw Steve Borthwick’s team for Saturday’s warm-up match against Wales. It is the most experienced match-day 23 England have ever fielded, with 1,067 caps.
It is stacked with players you
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