King's College London

Theo Dan, a second-year Philosophy, Politics and Economics undergraduate, was named by national coach Steve Borthwick among the 33-man squad set to compete in France next month.

The 22-year-old hooker will be vying for a starting berth when England begin their campaign against Argentina on 9 September. England were edged out by South Africa in the final at the last World Cup in 2019 but will be hoping to go one better this time around.

Theo plays for his club rugby at Saracens, where he made his first Premiership start in a victory over Sale Sharks in 2022, and earned his first cap for England when coming off the bench against Wales earlier this month. As a talented athlete, Theo is a scholar of the King’s Sport & Wellness Performance Programme, which provides student-athletes with a support network to help them perform to the highest level possible in their dual career.

Through strength and conditioning, nutrition, physiotherapy, lifestyle,wellbeing and dual-career support, the university aims to offer students a world-class environment to improve athletically alongside their education.

Mark Burgess, head of King's Sport & Wellness, said: “Balancing the competing pressures of study and elite sport is a challenging task but one at which Theo is clearly excelling given his selection for next month’s Rugby World Cup.”

“The whole King’s Sport & Wellness team are incredibly proud of the contribution our Performance Programme makes for high-performing student athletes like Theo. We can’t wait to see his performances in an England jersey at this World Cup and in future years.”

You will be able to watch Theo and England in action on 9 September from 20.00 (BST) on ITV in the UK.