New faces for England

Coach Eddie Jones has named seven uncapped players in his first England squad ahead of this year's Six Nations, while omitting South African-born centre Brad Barritt.

On Wednesday Jones named a 33-man squad to begin preparation for England’s opening match against Scotland at Murrayfield on 6 February, with Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints) and Maro Itoje (Saracens) all included.

There are also call ups for Chris Ashton (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) and Marland Yarde (Harlequins), who missed selection for England’s World Cup squad earlier this season.

Gloucester back rower Matt Kvesic and Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie are also named. Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi is included in the elite player squad, having last played for England in June 2014.

'We have selected a squad of players who we think can go to Murrayfield and win,' Jones said. 'This is our number one priority, to start with a win, so we have picked a squad which is a mix of experience and potential.

'The long-term strategy for England is to develop a side who can be the most dominant team in world rugby, so we have chosen a lot of new players on the growth we see in them. We see these players growing into England players of the future and developing into a side who can be the best in the world. Our aim is to develop a squad where there is depth and competition in every position.'

Tom Youngs, Tom Wood, Danny Cipriani and Barritt are some of the notable absentees from the squad.

'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,' he added.

Senior squad for Six Nations and elite player squad:
 
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), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens).
 
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

Post by