AXE SWINGS LOW
Six Nations: England lose Jack Nowell to injury as Eddie Jones looks ahead to 2023 World Cup after final flop
JACK NOWELL is having ankle surgery and is out of England's Six Nations squad.
The Exeter Chiefs star is the latest casualty for Eddie Jones, who has called up eight uncapped players including Jacob Umanga, nephew of ex-All Blacks captain Tana.
Jones has recalled 22 players from Japan 2019 in his 34-man squad that meet up on Wednesday before travelling to Portugal for a training camp on Thursday.
Only hooker Tom Dunn, flanker Ben Earl and winger Ollie Thorley have been involved in previous England squads.
Centre Fraser Dingwall, full-back George Furbank, lock Alex Moon, prop Will Stuart and fly-half Umaga are called up for the first time.
Jones said: “The Six Nations for us is all about raising the standards in terms of the way we prepare, tactically and physically how we play the game, and the way we come together off the field.
“But our first task is beating France in France and that is the only game we need to worry about.
"We will begin our preparations in Portugal, get a bit of sun, some warm conditions and get ourselves physically and mentally right for the game.
"The first three days will be about getting organised.
"We have got players from 11 clubs so we need to get everyone on the same page quickly, spend a lot of time working on our togetherness and then by Tuesday next week we are in Test preparation for France.
"It is always about winning the next game so we have picked the best squad available.
"At the same time we wanted to bring some young players in because we need to keep building our depth so for those new players it is an exciting opportunity for them.”
THE 10 CHOPPED ROSES
Nowell played in Saturday's win against La Rochelle, but now needs an op to sort out his injury.
Six of the 10 missing World Cup players are injured - with Billy Vunipola the latest to suffer a Six Nations blow after breaking an arm yesterday for the fourth time in his career.
Of the Japan touring party, Jack Singleton, Dan Cole Ben Spencer and Ruaridh McConnochie are all fit but overlooked.
And Henry Slade, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga and Vunipola are all crocked, while Piers Francis is out with concussion.
With Vunipola out England also have no recognised No.8 in their ranks.
So Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Lewis Ludlam will be looking to fill the giant void left by the 20-stone wrecking ball.
MOST READ IN SPORT
ENGLAND'S SIX NATIONS 2020 SQUAD
Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter, 21 caps), Tom Curry (Sale, 19), Tom Dunn (Bath, uncapped), Ben Earl (Saracens, uncapped), Charlie Ewels (Bath, 12), Ellis Genge (Leicester, 14), Jamie George (Saracens, 45), Ted Hill (Worcester, 1), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 34), George Kruis (Saracens, 41), Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 62), Courtney Lawes (Northampton, 81), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton, 6), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 68), Alex Moon (Northampton, uncapped), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 31), Will Stuart (Bath, uncapped), Sam Underhill (Bath, 15), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 58), Harry Williams (Exeter, 18)
Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 39 caps), Ollie Devoto (Exeter, 1), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton, uncapped), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 79), George Ford (Leicester, 65), George Furbank (Northampton, uncapped), Willi Heinz (Gloucester, 9), Jonathan Joseph (Bath, 47), Jonny May (Leicester, 52), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester, uncapped), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester, 40), Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped), Anthony Watson (Bath, 42), Ben Youngs (Leicester, 95)
Apprentice players
Alex Mitchell (Northampton, uncapped), Josh Hodge (Newcastle, uncapped)
Topics