EDDIE JONES HAS named his 31-man England squad for the World Cup, with former Leinster centre Ben Te’o missing out.
The powerful midfielder is left out along with the likes of Brad Shields, Mike Brown and Ben Spencer.
Jones has included the uncapped Ruaridh McConnochie of Bath in his group to travel to Japan, while scrum-half Willi Heinz and back row Lewis Ludlam are also included after making their debuts in a win over Wales yesterday.
England boss Jones has named his squad four weeks earlier than required and has opted to select just two scrum-halves in Ben Youngs and New Zealand native Heinz.
Jones has gone for five props, with only two tightheads in Kyle Sinckler and Dan Cole, while Jack Singleton – who also debuted against Wales – is named among three hookers.
Ludlam is included in a group of five back rows, although locks Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes also cover the blindside flank.
Jones has named Owen Farrell and George Ford as his out-half options, while centre Piers Francis can also cover the 10 shirt.
A competitive group of back three players numbers six in total, with the uncapped McConnochie among them.
“We have taken the decision to go early because of what we learned from previous campaigns,” said Jones. “We want the squad to know early and now we can get on and be the best prepared England side there has ever been, ready to win the World Cup.”
England’s 31-man World Cup squad:
Props: Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Dan Cole
Hookers: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Singleton
Locks: George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje
Back rows: Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson, Lewis Ludlam
Scrum-halves: Ben Youngs, Willi Heinz
Out-halves: Owen Farrell, George Ford
Centres: Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis
Back threes: Elliot Daly, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Jonny May, Joe Cokanasiga, Ruaridh McConnochie.
Who photoshopped that image of Ben T’eo passing the ball?
3 guys with one cap, and 1 uncapped player in the squad. I can understand one or maybe two guys making a late push. But he’s had 4 years to prepare for the WC, how is he only deciding on so many new guys the night before the tournament? Has had plenty of time to bed in and give experience. But Eddie be Eddie and his team selections will be as changeable as the weather.
@Peter McCarthy: rumor is Ben Teo and Mike Brown has a massive fight during a team bonding session in camp and both were told they were off the team.
Not in the least bit surprised that Teo isn’t there. He’s played practically no rugby in the last 12 months. Shields being left out is a big one but I’m not sure what his injury status is like. After that the inclusion of Heinz is a surprise, seems to have come from relative obscurity to taking a VC role yest on debut. I suppose the biggest one is the addition of an uncapped mcconnochie as a fullback when Jones won’t look at the european player of the year Goode.
@Jim Demps: All I can predict is it must be something personal between himself and Goode. Goode has been the stand out English 15 this season for me. Jones is very cut throat tho that’s for sure. Some interesting selections indeed. It’s a squad that could win the wc but for me there’s a few players picked that aren’t better than some of the lads left at home.
@Ian Verdon: yeah possibly, the funny thing is that Goode seems like a decent and likeable guy. You could understand it if he fell out with Mike Brown.
@Jim Demps: His celebrations after winning the champions cup certainly endeared him to many. Hilarious stuff. Can just see jones taking no prisoners if a player rubs him up the wrong way.
@Jim Demps: a squad of juggernaut players, simple as that. It’s a bit like the Saracens template.
@Jim Demps: Apparently Brown And Teo got themselves into a bit of trouble last week so not surprised their dropped. Madness to be acting the maggot so close to the WC especially when they’re both fringe players. Think Goode loses out because so many lads can play 15 and he’s so different style wise to what jones wants. He likes the second ball player in the centers so Farrell, Francis and Slade fill that role
@Eddie Hekenui: yeah I’d probably have agreed in terms of 15 if jones had gone with brown but the fact that he went with an uncapped 15 is just odd in my books. Especially when he didn’t even give Goode a lash in any of the extended squads.
@Jim Demps: I’m pretty sure the uncapped lad is mainly a winger. He’s got Daly, Watson, nowell and slade who can all cover 15
@Eddie Hekenui: yeah he is mainly, he was named at 15 last weekend though before pulling out.
On paper England have a very strong starting team and could easily challenge for the WC. But they do get very weak quickly when they have to rely on reserves (except in the 2nd row). A couple of injuries could derail they’re challenge early on.
@Andy Dwyer: saw it again at the weekend didn’t we? they have difficulty maintaining intensity and allowed Wales back into game.
@Rhodri Phillips: I wouldn’t read too much into the first warm up game.
Dan Cole over Harry Williams makes no sense to me.
England with/without Farrell and Billy V are two completely different teams, their fitness will determine if England make it past the QFs. I suspect they will top their group as France are still figuring themselves out (though I think they will put in a good effort this WC) and Argentina don’t have enough if their pack are being bullied.
Is there an extra player named in the list. I’m getting 17 forwards and 15 backs – 32 total.
Am I struggling with basic maths or is there am extra player named in the article?
@Michael Buckley: i make it 17 / 14
@Jim Demps:
Michael your first basic maths is the problem or eye sight :) :) :)
They still weren’t implementing the much vaunted rule book for the English match.