England name 36-man squad and call up backrower
Eddie Jones has named his 36-player England squad and called up a back-row reinforcement ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Argentina.
England will take on Los Pumas at Twickenham Stadium this Sunday and will be without skipper Courtney Lawes – who misses out due to concussion – although they have welcomed back Owen Farrell and Jonny May to the training camp.
6’4, 111kg loose forward Sean Robinson has also been drafted in as a replacement for Northampton Saints’ Lewis Ludlum, who misses out through injury.
A statement reads: “Owen Farrell has returned to the squad and will continue through the latter stages of his graduated return to play protocols in camp. There is also a return for Jonny May.
“Lewis Ludlam was unavailable for selection following an abdominal wall injury sustained before he joined with the squad in Jersey. Newcastle Falcons’ Sean Robinson has been called-up to the squad.
“The group met at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre in Bagshot today [Monday 31 October] ahead of this weekend’s game.”
ENGLAND SQUAD FORWARDS:
Alex Coles
Luke Cowan-Dickie
Tom Curry
Ellis Genge
Joe Heyes
Jonny Hill
Maro Itoje
George McGuigan
Tom Pearson
Val Rapava Ruskin
David Ribbans
Sean Robinson
Bevan Rodd
Sam Simmonds
Kyle Sinckler
Jack Singleton
Hugh Tizard
Billy Vunipola
Mako Vunipola
Jack Willis
ENGLAND BACKS
Joe Cokanasiga
Owen Farrell
George Furbank
Will Joseph
Max Malins
Jonny May
Cadan Murley
Jack Nowell
Guy Porter
Raffi Quirke
Henry Slade
Marcus Smith
Freddie Steward
Manu Tuilagi
Jack van Poortvliet
Ben Youngs
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Trevor Davison, Nic Dolly, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, Jamie George, Sam Jeffries, Nick Isiekwe, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Louis Lynagh, Ratu Naulago, Harry Randall, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Jack Walker.
With Manu back they have a real chance against the south.
Always love to see the injured player lists as it always stretches credibility somewhat. Ratu Naulago has never featured in an England squad and hasn't previously even been named on an unavailable through injury list!