Last Thursday Eddie Jones announced his most interesting yet controversial squad since taking over as England head coach. With 16 of his best players missing through Lions selection, he named 15 uncapped players in what he described as an “great opportunity to test the depth of English rugby”.
Up front, the big surprise was Nick Isiekwe. Having only just turned 19 he is certainly inexperienced, but with Jones comparing him to Maro Itoje, we could be looking at a potential 2019 Rugby World Cup bolter. It will be interesting to see who Jones may call up should Launchbury get an emergency phone call from the Lions, with Attwood and Barrow potential replacements.
In the front row, Jones has called up two new caps in Will Collier and Harry Williams, as well as the destructive Ellis Genge as he looks to add depth to this crucial position. Genge, along with Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker, fit Jones’ finisher role perfectly and I can see them making big impacts. Tommy Taylor is unlucky to miss out, and you wonder if his size counts against him with Jones’ England.
Jones’ back row selection is possibly the most contentious of them all. Mike Williams has been dropped from the squad along with Teimana Harrison, but perhaps most unlucky to miss out is Jackson Wray who has been ever so important for Saracens this year. With several other back rowers not having played too much rugby, Jones may see a full pre-season for the likes of Dave Ewers and Josh Beaumont more important than touring with England.
You’d expect Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Nathan Hughes to be the starting back row for both games, but keep a close eye on Sam Underhill, whom Jones has identified as an out and out openside flanker he has been searching for since he’s been in charge. Against Argentina, denying them quick ball is key to restricting their attack, and Underhill could have a big role to play. The Curry twins are the surprise picks and it appears Jones wants a closer look at their potential.
On the half backs, expect Danny Care and George Ford to play the most minutes at 9 and 10. Jack Maunder’s selection ahead of Dan Robson is surprising but clearly Jones sees something in him that he likes. Alex Lozowski should be the replacement 10, with Piers Francis maybe getting the chance at 12 in the Owen Farrell role, or being brought in if the side lack physicality at 10. Danny Cipriani is unlucky but Jones just does not seem to like him.
The centres to me are the most exciting selections. With Henry Slade and Harry Mallinder you have two of the best ball players in the Premiership and Joe Marchant will offer that outside gap pace that Jonathan Joseph normally provides. Sam James offers something slightly different to the others, and I’d expect to see him make a big impact off the bench. Also, do not be surprised to see Mallinder spend some time at 15 as Jones has hinted that that’s where he sees him playing.
The back three is also intriguing, even with the players not selected. Jones seems to value size, pace and defensive solidity over other values which has seen Marland Yarde, Semesa Rokoduguni and Christian Wade all miss out. Expect Mike Brown and Jonny May to start alongside one of Nathan Earle, Denny Solomona and Joe Cokansiga. Whichever one starts, there could be fireworks, as they all have raw talent and lots of pace.
All in all, although there are certainly some noticeable absentees, the squad has experience and youth and with Mark Ella joining back up with England as attack coach, I’m looking forward to some exciting high-scoring and fast-paced games.
By Alex Blackwell
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
As a possible bolter that missed out, what about Sam Simmonds at No. 8? Absolutely dominated during the Six Nations, and if you’re including the likes of Nick Isiekwe and Harry Williams, who is basically a blob, then I feel he’s missed out a bit.
I don’t get the selection of Piers Francis. We have some class English 10’s already in the Premiership, his selection seems confusing, having not even arrived from New Zealand yet.
All in all though, looks like a good competitive squad, with a promising look to the future.
Why on earth isn’t Piers Francis English? He was born and raised in Kent…
He sent his early career in England – I’m sure in Doncaster or somewhere once?
Born in England, raised in England. Played for Sarries academy before moving to NZ at 18 for 2 years then played for Edinburgh and Doncaster then back to NZ and now on his way to Northampton
Oops meant to say Anglo-Welsh Cup for Simmonds!
Certainly surprised to see the premiership’s highest performing wingers, wade and rokoduguni missing out but Eddie clearly sees their defensive frailties as an issue
I like the approach of using this tour to test out up and coming, especially now the winning streak has finished. Very surprised not to see Zac Mercer though, he has been the standout U20’s player both in the Prem with Bath and during the 6N but I heard a rumour as Captain he has to tour Georgia for the U20 world cup?
As someone stated on another site. He is the U20’s captain and they have the world cup this year. So I think he was being kept for that and would get more out of that than being on this tour.
It is a shame that Robson and Wade are not on this tour as I think they will see it as a snub. Plus I would have liked to have seen them in an England shirt again. Especially Wade, who I think is lightening and would have won lots of caps with any of the other home unions.
I can see what Jones is doing though. In that he wants to see the next generation in action. He will also want them to learn off the seasoned pro’s and then go back to their clubs more rounded players.
This will also increase the playing base for the not only the next world cup, but the one after that. Young blood has to be introduced at some point.
and thinking cynically will tie them to England by capping them for the senior team so they can’t be poached by other countries through residency or distant relatives thus allowing Future coaches to take their time when deciding if they are ready to step up.
I don’t think that is the case Leon.
Which of them, apart from Solomona, would be eligible?
Note – I think that Underhill has already made his allegiance very clear, and would I am sure have gone red already if he was so inclined.
Having not conducted a full genealogy assessment of the players its difficult to say. I meant more as a preventative thing rather than necessary measure
One example is Moriarty who played age grade rugby as part of the England squad before switching to Wales where his father is from and where he was schooled
EJ has said he isn’t thinking about playing the Lions in the autumn internationals. That means possibly that the “unlucky” cohort, i’e Dan Robson, Wade, Barrow, Ewers et al, are in the frame for a very testing run of test matches this November. This tour is about foundations and exposing the raw talent to the realities of a demanding environment. The inclusion of the senior players is to provide continuity and the living embodiment of England’s standards moving forward….
Yup, think we’d have seen a very different team had the win streak been in place!
I like this selection, it’s exciting and if we get just a couple of good international players from it, it will be worthwhile.
I’m sure many commenters here remember England’s Tour from Hell in the late 90s. Stuffed full of young and uncapped players, absolutely trounced by everyone and yet it provided the basis for World Cup success 5 years later.
I don’t think Argentina are likely to beat us 76-0 like the Aussies did on that tour, but hopefully it can play a similar kind of role.
I think the one possible problem with that a lot of those “unlucky” players won’t have had the experience they need to prepare them for the AIs. Would it not have been better to give them some time on this tour, so they are ready?
It’s a good point but they may also benefit from having the summer off. Swings and roundabouts
So much is made about the step up in intensity between club and international I would prefer they got used to it and gained the experience of the England camp, gameplan and ethos than sat at home watching boxsets and feeling rested
A good point. What a shame that there isn’t a proper calendar of A team fixtures
I have np problem with the squad except Wade and Robson missing out.Thye musty have done something very nasty to EJ’s dog