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An alternate England XV made up of players out of favour with Eddie
Eddie Jones’ England squad never fails to leave sections of the public scratching their heads over players who have missed out.
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The squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations is no different, and though the addition of a shadow squad has meant 40 players have been called up, there are still some unfortunate players who many feel are worthy of a place.
Be it due to injury, ruling themselves out, or simply having a face that does not fit at this moment in time, this is an alternative England XV:
1 Joe Marler
Harlequins’ Joe Marler was originally in the squad but pulled out this week for personal reasons, providing an opportunity for Tom West in the 28-man squad and Alex Hepburn in the shadow squad.
2 Jack Singleton
A member of England’s World Cup squad, Gloucester’s Jack Singleton has not won a cap since their exploits in Japan, being usurped by Tom Dunn in the hooking pecking order.
3 Kyle Sinckler
While it is expected that the 43-cap Kyle Sinckler will rejoin the squad once the ban for his foul-mouthed outburst is over, he still is not technically part of the squad.
4 George Kruis
Currently plying his trade in Japan with Panasonic Wild Knights, former Saracens lock George Kruis has outlined his ambition to return to the England set-up.
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5 Nick Isiekwe
Northampton Saints are reaping the benefits of Nick Isiekwe’s season-long loan from Saracens. Like Bristol Bears’ Ben Earl and Max Malins he would have opted to stay in the Gallagher Premiership in order to boost his chances of England selection, but has not earned a cap since June 2018.
6 Ted Hill
Worcester Warriors’ 21-year-old captain Ted Hill is clearly a player Jones has earmarked for the future, and offers a huge amount in the No6 shirt, but he has not yet been able to make the step up from being a prospect.
7 Sam Simmonds
Probably the absentee that puzzles English fans the most, the European player of the year Sam Simmonds cannot work his way back into Jones’ squad. Playing primarily at No8 at Sandy Park may be a reason for this, as he may not provide the bulk that is desired.
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8 Alex Dombrandt
A player that does provide the weight at the back of the scrum that Jones wants to see is Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt, but the 23-year-old has not been able to convince the Australian.
9 Ben Spencer
The outcry over Ben Spencer’s omission is not as strong as it was in the autumn following a superb denouement to the 2019/20 season with Bath, but he is still a player that has struggled to break into the squad.
10 Joe Simmonds
Exeter’s double-winning captain in 2020 and man of the match in the Heineken Champions Cup final, Joe Simmonds presents a compelling case to earn international honours, but is still an outcast.
Harlequins’ Marcus Smith has also been overlooked for the Six Nations having been on the periphery for the last three years.
11 Joe Cokanasiga
Following a 11-month layoff in 2020 with a knee injury, Bath’s towering winger Joe Cokanasiga is still working his way back to his best form.
12 Piers Francis
In an area where England have plenty of options, Piers Francis has been called upon in the past by Jones to play at No12, but has not been capped since the World Cup.
Ollie Devoto meanwhile earned his first cap in four years in the 2020 Six Nations, but has fallen out of favour again.
13 Ollie Devoto
Sale Sharks’ Manu Tuilagi leaves a gaping hole in the England backline, as the 29-year-old is still out with an achilles injury. But there is a wealth of players across England who still cannot make the squad. Ollie Devoto is one who earned his first cap in four years in the 2020 Six Nations, but has fallen out of favour again.
14 Ollie Thorley
Having earned his first cap in the autumn, Ollie Thorley has seen the hysteria around his name abate over the winter, which may be partly due to Gloucester’s faltering start to their season.
15 Alex Goode
Having previously won the European player of the year, Alex Goode was the Sam Simmonds of 2019 and simply could not break into the national squad. He is now out of contention after signing for NEC Green Rockets in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments