21 of England’s training squad that headed to Italy went to fee-paying schools.
While that number still represents a slight majority it is an improvement on previous squads as the sport seeks to reach out to a wider proportion of society.
Make of that what you will but the statistics make for interesting reading.
Some of the country’s most iconic institutions are represented too.
FORWARDS:
Dan Cole, Prop: Robert Smyth Academy, Leicestershire (free)
Luke Cowan-Dickie, Hooker: Mount’s Bay School (free)
Tom Curry, Flanker: Bishop Heber High School (free)
Charlie Ewels, Flanker: Bryanston school (£11,882)
Ellis Genge, Prop: John Cabot Academy (free)
Jamie George, Hooker: Haileybury, Hertfordshire (£30,900)
