Eddie Jones announced his 36-man squad for the November Internationals today with more than a few talking points arising from the selection.
Danny Cipriani has once again been overlooked despite his outstanding form for Gloucester but there is a place for his team mate, Number 8 Ben Morgan, who last appeared in the White of England in 2015.
Injuries have significantly depleted Jones’ squad, especially in the forwards. Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Mako Vunipola, Nick Isiekwe and Chris Robshaw are all injured whilst Nathan Hughes will be serving a 6 week ban following his disciplinary hearing reaching a conclusion last night.
Joe Marler’s sudden retirement also leaves the squad light in the front row. There will be a lack of experience up front for these internationals and opposing sides will not let that go unnoticed.
In the back division, Chris Ashton returns after his stint in France and there is also the welcome return of Manu Tuilagi. His form will be crucial to how England succeed in this test series.
England’s first match is on November 3rd against South Africa before facing New Zealand, Japan and Australia on consecutive weekends.
England Squad in Full:
Forwards (20)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) co-captain, Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) *, Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
Backs (16)
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens) co-captain, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
*Apprentice Player
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Photo Credit: England Kath via freeforcommercialuse.org
