5 of the biggest casualties as England name Six Nations squad
Accused throughout the 2021 Guinness Six Nations of being too loyal to certain favourites, Eddie Jones has continued on his recent mission to rejuvenate his England by announcing a squad for the 2022 championship containing six uncapped players – Orlando Bailey, Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Luke Northmore – and excluding six players – Sam Underhill, Manu Tuilagi, Adam Radwan, Alex Mitchell, Trevor Davison and Nic Dolly – that played during the successful autumn series.
Wasps back-rower Barbeary was the highest-profile newcomer and Jack Nowell the most popular fit-again recall. Meanwhile, Underhill was the biggest-name omission along with the re-injury of Tuilagi while there were also no places available for George Ford, Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola, the three headline exclusions last October when Jones named his England squad for the three-game Autumn Nations Series.
With the die now cast for England and their upcoming Six Nations, a campaign that begins with back-to-back away assignments versus Scotland and Italy, RugbyPass sifts through the list of players who will have most regret over missing out on inclusion in the 36-strong squad that will assemble for a week’s training next Monday in Brighton:
1. SAM UNDERHILL
The openside enjoyed a profitable Autumn Nations Series but that credit in the bank hasn’t paid a January dividend with Jones tempted instead to have a look at Barbeary in his England squad. Underhill hasn’t enjoyed a flow back at struggling Bath since the win over the Springboks, making just three appearances and the last coming on Boxing Day with him occupying the unfamiliar role of No8.
Underhill shipped a head knock in that December 26 Premiership match versus Gloucester and the resulting lay-off was enough for Jones to turn his gaze elsewhere away from a player he had chosen in the original 2021 Six Nations squad only for him to pull out the following week with a hip issue. “Sam is not quite ready,” explained Jones on Tuesday. “He has had a fairly truncated period since the autumn but we are hopeful he will get himself fit and match ready for later in the tournament.”
Eddie Jones was full of optimism for the future on Tuesday but he also touched on England's recent past#England #SixNations
https://t.co/3r5R8DhU9J— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 18, 2022
2. GEORGE FORD
The starting out-half in the 2019 World Cup final must surely be perplexed over what he needs to do to get a look-in again with England. While Marcus Smith is undeniably deserving of his place, Ford will be incredulous that his stellar form this season with Leicester has still counted for nothing when it comes to Test squad selection.
It can’t have sat well with him that it was George Furbank, a more regular Northampton full-back, who started the November opener against Tonga at No10, and it must be even more irritating that rookie Bailey, the youngster playing for bottom club Bath, has now been chosen instead of the talisman who has been inspiring Leicester at the top of the Premiership.
On Bailey, Jones enthused: “He can take the ball to the line, is a strong defender and can play ten, twelve or 15. We are particularly looking for those multi-skilled backs players who are going to be important.” That flexibility doesn’t bode well for Ford, despite Jones’ insistence that the door is still open to those on the outer looking in.
3. ELLIOT DALY
The versatile Saracens back came back from the Lions tour having completed the extraordinary feat of playing a part in all eight matches on South African territory. However, there was a sting in the tail as a shin issue needed a post-tour procedure and despite making five appearances for his club in recent weeks (including three starts at left wing and another at outside centre), he hasn’t done enough to win over Jones.
“He hasn’t played a lot of rugby, needs to get some good match fitness and some good match form behind him,” explained the England coach on Tuesday. Daly’s exclusion after a lengthy run in the full-back jersey highlights how well newcomer Freddie Steward performed in November.
4. MAKO VUNIPOLA
Unlike at No8 where England now have a queue of players – Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds – looking for selection and edging ahead of the out-of-favour Billy Vunipola in the pecking order, Mako Vunipola is entitled to feel a bit more aggrieved than his brother about not getting an England recall.
It was quite the drama in November with England thrown into the emergency that was having Ellis Genge and Joe Marler unavailable in isolation for the Wallabies match, a situation that resulted in them relying on rookie pair Bevan Rodd and Trevor Davison.
Rodd also went on to start the following week versus the Springboks and while Vunipola has returned to form at Saracens where Mark McCall has regularly sung his praises, Jones has stuck by the young Sale prop for the upcoming camp. It leaves Vunipola to stew and fear his reputable England career is over at the age of 31.
5. ADAM RADWAN
The 24-year-old blazed a trail among the 2021 newcomers introduced to the Test fold by Jones, the Newcastle winger scoring a hat-trick on his summer debut versus Canada and then going to get on the scoresheet with another try in the November win over Tonga. He was excluded for the games versus Australia and South Africa, Jones instead selecting Tuilagi and Joe Marchant in the wing jersey.
Radwan has had five starts back at Newcastle since the series, scoring twice, but Jones has now taken a shine to a different winger, inviting Hassell-Collins of London Irish along next week. “He is a big, strong winger who breaks tackles, came through the sevens,” explained Jones when asked what attributes the Irish player will bring to the fray, his inclusion an indication of the coach’s eagerness to keep spreading the net wide no matter how well other rookies play for England.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments