England men’s head coach Eddie Jones has named his official Rugby World Cup 2019 training squad.
35 players will assemble at The Lensbury Hotel on Sunday (7 July) for England’s first official training camp.
Premiership finalists Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens) and Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) return to the England setup following their off-season.
Joe Marler (Harlequins) is named after making himself available for selection. The 29 year-old prop retired from international rugby in last September having played 59 Tests for England.
Jones has included four uncapped players in the group. Gloucester Rugby’s halfback and captain Willi Heinz is joined by former England U20 forward Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), former England Sevens player and Olympic silver medallist Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby) and Saracens’ new signing Jack Singleton.
While not named in the initial 35-man squad, George Kruis (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) and Mako Vunipola (Saracens) will continue their rehabilitation in camp and are still considered for selection.
Jones said: “We can’t wait to have the full squad in place and to have players competing for those 31 places. It is a process of building the team up, building the cohesion, the tactical understanding of the team and our adaptability. We will need to get those things right to win the World Cup, and that is our aim.”
On his selection decisions Jones said: “World Cup selection is a four-year process. We have looked at the squad carefully, tried to build up a squad that has enough experience, attitude and energy to be winners and I think we have that. In the process, we have left out some players who can feel unlucky. For those guys who have missed out, the door is never closed but they have just got to be ready, as you never know when the opportunity comes.”
Following two weeks of England training camps, Jones added: “The last two camps have been a head start for us. It has allowed the guys who didn’t play in the semi-finals or final to get some good conditioning work in and also some fundamental skill work so we expect them to set a high standard when the rest of the squad join us on July 7.
“The players have come in the best physical condition I have ever seen an England squad. The attitude of the players is that they are excited and hungry, they want to do well for themselves, their family and for their country.”
On Marler’s decision to come out of international retirement, Jones added: “I saw Joe during the Barbarians’ week and he indicated that he had a desire to come back. We have since had a couple of chats and we have given him the opportunity to do that. Now it is up to him to show us what he has got.”
With England’s first official training camp starting on Sunday Jones said: “For the fans it is the start of the journey so we want you to be with us; we are all in this together. We are looking forward to seeing your support.”
England will play Wales (11 August) and Ireland (24 August) at Twickenham Stadium and Italy (6 September) in Newcastle as part of the Quilter Internationals as well as an away fixture against Wales (17 August) in Cardiff.
England will travel to Treviso, Italy for a heat camp from 22 July until 2 August before returning to Italy on 28 August until 5 September. The squad will also be based in Bristol for a week in July (14-18) and in August (12-16) ahead of England’s away match against Wales. For the two matches against Wales and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, the squad will train at Pennyhill Park.
England will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (22 September, KO 11:15am UK time) before playing USA Rugby in Kobe (26 September, KO 11:45am UK time), Argentina in Tokyo (5 October, KO 09:00am UK time) and France in Yokohama (12 October, KO 09:15am UK time).
England’s official Rugby World Cup 2019 training squad
Forwards
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 58 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 71 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 59 caps)
Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps)
Brad Shields (Wasps, 8 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps)
Jack Singleton (Saracens, uncapped)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 9 caps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 41 caps)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
Backs
Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 30 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps)
Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
Ben Spencer (Saracens, 3 caps)
Ben Te’o (unattached, 18 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)
In camp for rehabilitation
George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)
No place for Mike Brown, Alex Dombrandt, Dan Robson, Marcus Smith, Ollie Thorley, all of whom have been involved in the first two camps.
Cipriani and Marler are in though!
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Or the SR final either? Might see some of England’s WC opponents on show! Skates on time?
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Disappointed about Robson, I’d have him in over Ben Spencer, when did he run Eddie Jones’ dog over?
This being said Willi Heinz has had a great season for Gloucester, Marcus, Alex and Ollies time will come and Mad Dog I am torn over.
Good to see Marler back and Cips in, happily see Francis dropped for a fit Nowell.
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I think Robson isn’t being considered owing to the blood clot problems he had a little while ago. Perhaps they don’t want to risk him yet. The omission of Devoto in favour of Francis/Teo is a head-scratcher.
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Maybe it wasn’t Eddie’s hound that was run over, but rather KD’s father’s mutt. Reason being is that I once saw graffiti painted on a wall in Camden which stated; ‘Ken Dodd’s Dad’s dog’s dead’. Assuming Ed was a pal of KD, hence Robson’s omission!?
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England’s strongest match day 23 is:
1 Mako VUNIPOLA
2 Jamie GEORGE
3 Kyle SINCKLER
4 Maro ITOJE
5 George KRUIS
6 Mark WILSON
7 Tom CURRY
8 Billy VUNIPOLA
9 Ben YOUNGS
10 Owen FARRELL
11 Jonny MAY
12 Manu TUILAGI
13 Henry SLADE
14 Anthony WATSON
15 Elliot DALY
16 Luke COWAN-DICKIE
17 Joe MARLER / Ellis GENGE
18 Dan COLE
19 Courtney LAWES
20 Sam UNDERHILL
21 Ben SPENCER
22 George FORD
23 Jack NOWELL / Joe COKANASIGA
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That team could win the world cup
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Swap Ford for Cipriani and give Youngs a massive kick up the arse and maybe.
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A kick in Yonngs’ head may jolt him into not mindlessly kicking it all away, as per Scotland & Wales, but doubt whether one up the backside, or even in the head, will speed his service up.
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Could argue a case for the fwd pack alright as it seems a potential WC starting 8. However, the back line seems another matter. I suppose Farrell will have to & will be, in for his goal kicking, if not his temperament & rigidity (v Scotland, Wales). Likewise Youngs, with the latter & his passing in treacle technique. Also, if Watson is in, he’s a better bet @ f/back as there are incumbent wings in place (injury permitting). Of course Goode or Brown likely won’t agree with this. Also this leaves Daly out of position @ wing (in place of Watson), when he’s really a centre & ought to oust Tui. 1 of the other 1/2’s (obviously not the exp’ed, quicker & more versatile Care), is likely a better bet too, as IMO, is Cipriani a more accomished fly1/2 than Farrell. Of course none of these options is likely to happen under Jones, but surely England have better options & combo’s available?
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I think part of the problem is that some of the better options have not been selected!! I can think of at least four centres I’ve seen play consistently better than Tuilaig, Francis and T’eo this season.
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Assuming Wilson is the back up 8. Really surprised Morgan didn’t get a chance instead of Ludlam, tbh I would have had Dombrandt ahead of Ludlam. Not a clue why Francis is there and Heinz has come from nowhere ahead of players that have been in numerous camps. Normal EJ squad.
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Agree here. Even just to give BM a chance in the camp, he’s been class for Glos this year. I’m guessing Ludlam is in for exp but still a strnage choice.
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I feel sorry for George Ford. People berate his defence but he is a gutsy sod for his size. It’s literally just the power to weight ratio that lets him down. Watch him, he never backs away from a tackle. His kicking from hand is insane and pass timing is utterly sublime and, dare I say it, better than a certain Mr. Cipriani’s. Not a popular opinion, but Ford has guts, and that counts for something in my eyes. Ok his place kicking isn’t great, but he wouldn’t be the first fly half to relinquish kicking duties to say, a full back.
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I have been consistent in my comments on George Ford for many years. Behind a winning pack, he is a magician. Behind a retreating pack he is anonymous. Cipriani can produce magic hands in either scenario. However all FHs do look better behind a good pack. Having had a good look at Cips this season, he is a far gutsier player than I ever thought he was, so not convinced there is much difference there. Ultimately Ford will go to the world cup because of his chemistry with Farrell. Cips will be on standby if either get injured, so from that point of view relieved that he is in the training camp to learn the set up.
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Makes sense. Not sure that Tommy Cooper would quite agree with the Ford ‘magician’ comment, though. Jones, according to Jones, may take 3 fly1/2’s. If so, Cip should be on the plane (although I somehow doubt this), or he could take 3 1/2’s, in which case, it’s service as usual. However, not to have P o t Yr included, is perverse. But that’s Ed’s middle name. Mind you, Goode must be pretty pissed off on this count too.
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I would argue that Cips was equally as anonymous in the prem semi-final, behind a pack that spent all day in reverse. Though this is maybe a tad harsh considering how well Saracens were playing.
England should take all 3 if not just for rotational purposes. Give them all a chance in the group stages and then go from there (if we get through -_-)
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So,Big Joe done a volte face after all,which is great news, especially if Mako fails to make the deadline.
Ben moon i very good and Genge could be a loose head Sinckler but Marler just has the experience, heft and class that we need. OTOH as Don p would say, how the hell has Francis got in ahead of say, lozowski? I think ditching MB is a huge error too.
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*HAS done,not just done. Bloody keyboard!!
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Well, if Francis is not good enough for the AB’s, how can he be good enough for England?!
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Francis is the one I really don’t understand. Not just Lozowksi but Marchant, Tomkins, Hutchinson and a couple of others would be in front of Francis for me.
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Yep, it’s mental. Nothing against Francis though, it’s not his fault EJ does these things.
Hutchinson looks destined for Scotland.
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I agree re MB.Just hope AW gets 15 ahead of Daley.Equally agree re Francis. Biggest weakness is at 9 .If BY is our no 1 we have a problem.DC unlucky-can often be better than Ben
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Care, Harris? No surprise, surprise? Likely have to squeeze 38 into 31, so whom will be jettisoned?
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Meant Hughes, not Harris. Must have been thinking of Anita.
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Or Jet.
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I can’t see how Francis has made it but Lozowski, who is (in my opinion) a much better all round and more versatile player is not even considered!?!?
Can anyone explain to me why Francis is in? Unless he saved Eddie’s dog from some serious injury????
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Lozowski hasn’t played Super Rugby.
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I just think we are really light in attritional positions, BV injury record over the last few years means that Wilson is going to have to play games at 8 to rest him and i think he is our best 6. Why not take another out and out 8 like Morgan to share the pool stages with BV and provide cover later if injured?
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I was just looking at the squad again and there is a real lack of depth at 6 and 8; assuming this means a lock is playing/covering 6. If i assume Ludlam and Ewels get cut, then we have 4 locks, 2 x 7’s , 1x 6 and 1 x 8. It just seems strange.
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Jones said on TV last night that he’ll (likely?) take a utility fwd (& back for that matter). Maybe the most unpopular choice in England, Shields, will be included as 6, line out option? Covers for Wilson, who covers for BV? I would personally have also picked Morgan.. but been there before.. also Kvesic, Armand & so on! Jones as rigid as the other May? Of course.
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Jones also stated that he hasn’t ruled everyone’s 2nd least favourite player, Hartley, out yet. If Hartley is fit & does go to the WC, will it be as captain? If not, then who will be? Likely Farrell. If this happens, then will Hartley go anyway? If he does go, will he feature & in what capacity? Co-captain?
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Not sure if it’s already been mentioned or covered, but is Care injured? I don’t understand the continuing omission.
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Dropped, like me
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Ludlam and Heinz retention are the obvious surprises. There are better back rowers available though I suspect Ludlam wont make the final cut. Heinz has every chance of making the final squad, assuming Jones takes 3 SH’s. Quite what he has over Care and Robson isn’t entirely clear. At 32 he is hardly a selection with the future in mind so he’s there to do a short term job as 3rd choice.
Marler coming back is a terrific boost. The rest of the front 5 pick themselves.
I would have gone with Devoto ahead of both Francis and Lozowski, but this is a very close call as is the retention of McConnochie over Thorley, and Singleton over Dunn.
Regarding the utility players, I imagine Itoje will be asked to cover lock and 6, while Nowell is the perfect choice for the backs so fingers crossed he’s going to be fit. Pity that we dont have a prop who can play both sides (though in fairness that is now very rare in the pro game) as this would free up a front row slot.
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The success or otherwise of this team hinge on three players being injury free for the whole tournament. Mako, Billy and Maro turn a decent pack into one with can do real damage. Mako and Billy provide heavy duty ball carriers which does serious damage to the defences. Maro is a big match player who makes stuff happen, even though he plays right on the edge. Take these three out of the side and we are just there to make up the numbers.
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Something of an exaggeration innit Mark? Are you stating that if England had had MV & Itoje in their 6N teams v Wales & Scotland, they’d have won these games? England still had plenty power in these matches, but surely threw threw it away v Wales by kicking it away from a winning position? Likewise v Scotland, England’s defence went AWOL after 1/2time. Additionally, Itoje gives away pens & yellows for fun. Also, doesn’t MV’s & BV’s ball carrying prowess makes them somewhat predictable & 1 dimensional. Especially with a WC cominging up!
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