England in the 6N

[teds]

Dewi Morris (was that toot or ploot) was more of an 8 and a half than a nine?

That’s an expression I haven’t heard for a long time!
I always assumed Morris was Ploot, but I can’t be certain.

[JP14]

If Billy’s broken his arm, surely out for the Six Nations? I doubt Jones would shoe-in Dombrandt so maybe a return for Hughes, quietened down considerably since his stunning debut to his Bristol career. Wilson is also still injured or only just returning that leaves England’s No8 options thin. Earl maybe as a backup 8 off the bench?

[Mark62]

If Billy’s broken his arm, surely out for the Six Nations? I doubt Jones would shoe-in Dombrandt so maybe a return for Hughes, quietened down considerably since his stunning debut to his Bristol career. Wilson is also still injured or only just returning that leaves England’s No8 options thin. Earl maybe as a backup 8 off the bench?

Simmons in pole position for number 8 surely, he’s on fire for Exeter

[JP14]

Apologies had forgotten about Simmonds.

[OakhamTiger32]

Jones expected to announce his squad later today at midday

[JP14]

Perhaps the most interesting squad selection in a long time (the WC one picked itself really)?

[mol2]

Dombrant was just returning from injury and didn't look on great form the last couple of times I've seen him.

Is Simmonds big enough to be an international 8? Bulked up a bit since he last played for England prior to his injury lay off.
I supect England will go with him and Hughes now that Billy V is injured.

Scrum half is interesting with both of the world cup scrum half options on the mature side. Possibly Ben might make it but I don't see Heinz as being young enough. None of the younger players are really demanding attention at present.

[OakhamTiger32]

Here is the England squad!
Forwards Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 19 caps) Tom Dunn (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped) Ben Earl (Saracens, uncapped) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 12 caps) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 45 caps) Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap) Maro Itoje (Saracens, 34 caps) George Kruis (Saracens, 41 caps) Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 62 caps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 81 caps) Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 6 caps) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 68 caps) Alex Moon (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 31 caps) Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 15 caps) Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 58 caps) Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)

Backs Elliot Daly (Saracens, 39 caps) Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap) Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Owen Farrell (Saracens, 79 caps) George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 65 caps) George Furbank (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 47 caps) Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps) Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 40 caps) Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)

Apprentice players Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)

England have dropped Jack Nowell from their squad for the Six Nations as one of 10 absentees from last autumn's World Cup.

Nowell, the Lions wing who is highly rated by Eddie Jones, played for Exeter in Saturday's Champions Cup victory over La Rochelle but is excluded from the 34 names picked for the 2020 Championship.

Also missing from the 32 players who helped England reach the World Cup final are Jack Singleton, Mark Wilson, Dan Cole, Billy Vunipola, Henry Slade, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Spencer and Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell.

Many of the Japan 2019 casualties are injured.

However, Jones has opted against calling up specialist number eight cover for Billy Vunipola.

[Tiglon]

Surprised to see Heinz and Youngs as the 2 scrum half options still, proof that Jones just doesn't rate Spencer.

Didn't expect Alex Moon, Tom Dunn or Umaga to be in there, I thought a couple of others would be ahead of each of them - perhaps Jones thinks he already knows enough about the alternatives and wants to take an opportunity to learn about these three.

Thorley, Dingwall and Furbank in the backs have all earned their places, I hope they get a chance to play.

[Robespierre]

Apologies had forgotten about Simmonds.

So has Eddie! Unforgiveable!!

[Tiglon]

Apologies had forgotten about Simmonds.

So has Eddie! Unforgiveable!!

I'm very curious to see who he plays at 8 - Ted Hill? Ludlum? Lawes? Manu?!

I don't think any of the squad have spent much time playing there.

[drc_007]

Genge

[Mark62]

I’m struggling to see who’s going to play 8 either Ludlam or Hill, unless he’s going to move Itoje over

Not surprised by Heinz and Youngs but where are the young 9s

Shame about Coley but not totally unexpected, it would have been nice for him to get 100 caps

[JP14]

Surprised by Moon and Umaga, Grayson and Smith ahead of him surely?

[Mark62]

Got Dunn listed as playing for chiefs sure he’s still at Bath