Eddie Jones Announces First England Squad

Eddie Jones has unveiled England’s 33 man squad for the 6 Nations today, as England look to move on from the Stuart Lancaster era. Jones has named several players that found themselves cast away during the days of Lancaster, as well as a myriad of young players who are more than ready to take to the international stage.

“We have selected a squad of players who we think can go to Murrayfield and win” said Jones, who spoke at length about the desire for England to develop a side for the future. “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.”

There are 7 new caps in the squad, including Josh Beaumont of Sale, Jack Clifford of Harlequins, Wasps star Elliot Daly, Bath utility back Ollie Devoto, (who is filling in temporarily for Manu Tuilagi) Northampton’s 20 year old prop Paul Hill, Exeter inside center Sam Hill, (in for Henry Slade) and Saracens lock Maro Itoje.

There is no room for Danny Cipriani or Tom Youngs, but Marland Yarde and Chris Ashton have both been included, after seemingly being exiled by Stuart Lancaster’s coaching staff. There will be a close position battle at hooker, with Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George taking on the well established Dylan Hartley.

Jones would not name a captain, but said that he did have a candidate in mind.

Manu Tuilagi will be unavailable for the match against Scotland, but Jones is hoping to have him back before the end of the tournament. If there is one thing this squad shows, it is that no one is safe in this squad, and with quality players like Kyle Eastmond left in the cold, these players must play at their best over the next few weeks.

Sources: England Rugby