New England head coach Eddie Jones today announced his first official squad as he prepares to offer seven new debutants their first starts at this year’s RBS Six Nations.
Following the announcement today at 2 pm, former Japan coach Jones has been quick to reward a number of in-form stars this year with their first taste of international test rugby including the likes of Josh Beaumont, Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly.
And despite the speculation surrounding the future of Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw’s future in the setup has been assured as Jones opted to keep the former Quins and England captain in the side although no assurances have been made regarding his role as captain.
Some of the most notable absentees from Jones’ first England squad include Tom Youngs, Brad Barritt, Tom Wood, Geoff Parling and Danny Cipriani as the new head coach looks to add more tempo to England’s game whilst also requiring players who are capable of expressing themselves on the pitch.
Speaking about his squad selection (BBC), the Australian said:
We have chosen a lot of new players on the growth we see in them. We see these players developing into a side who can be the best in the world. I have spoken to some of the players who have not been selected. Naturally they will be disappointed and that is how it should be. They know what they need to do to get back into this squad. The door is not shut for anyone.
Jones has also made the decision to reinstate both Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton back into the squad whilst Manu Tuilagi, who has been absent for 15 months with a groin injury, could return to the squad after the Scotland game.
In all, Jones has added new boys Josh Beaumont, Maro Itoje, Sam Hill, Jack Clifford, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto and Paul Hill and the decision to do so has been welcomed by a number of English clubs currently hosting the new stars.
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond welcomed the promotion of his club’s star Beaumont, saying:
It dispels the fear that people have to leave to play for England. Josh has come through the ranks of the academy and is a credit to everything we’re doing at the club.
Whilst Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall was pleased that the Aviva Premiership’s Player of the Month for December was rewarded for his fine form:
He makes things happen with the ball, he makes things happen without the ball. He’s done that week in, week out for us. He gets a lot of attention. He deals with it pretty well, but I wish he didn’t get so much attention because sometimes we’re quick to blow people up in this country and we’ve just got to be careful with him. He’s very young rugby-wise. He’s only had six months of senior rugby.
See below the full England squad for next month’s Six Nations:
Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) *injury replacement for Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens).
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *injury replacement for Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
