Jones makes big calls as England training squad announced

England head coach Eddie Jones has selected 36 players to assemble in Bristol for England’s latest training camp (Sunday 23 September until Tuesday 25 September) with Danny Cipriani a shock omission.

It appears his off-the-field disciplinary issues may have been a factor with George Ford, Alex Lozowski and Owen Farrell the 10 options named in the squad.

Earlier this month Jones was asked about whether Cipriani had a future.

“Danny has been dealt with and was punished by his club and the RFU dealt with it and he is back playing. We will look at how he is going.

“Has he got an England future? That will be determined by how well he plays and we never close the door on anyone and everyone makes mistakes and he was very contrite afterwards and realised he has done the wrong thing and we move on from that now.

Leicester Tigers’ centre Manu Tuilagi is named in the training squad for the first time in over a year having last played for England during the 2016 Six Nations.

Danny Care (Harlequins), George Kruis (Saracens), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) and Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) all return to the squad for the first time this season.

Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks) is included having last played international rugby in 2014, while uncapped wing duo Nathan Earle (Harlequins) and Joe Cokanasiga (Bath) are also called up.

Eddie Jones said: “The training camp in Bristol is our last opportunity to get the squad together before the Quilter Internationals so it is vital we put down some parameters, particularly with John Mitchell coming in as defence coach.

“We’ll implement a slightly different defence philosophy building on the great work Paul Gustard has done to keep advancing our defence. It’s a great opportunity for the players to work with John and for the team to keep evolving.

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Watch: John Mitchell appointed England defence coach.

“It’s a chance to get the players thinking about England and the way we want to play for England and the way we want to beat South Africa. These players have the opportunity to press their chances for selection ahead of the first Test so they will have to be enthusiastic and ready to give their best.”

Ahead of the Quilter Internationals in November an England squad will be named on 18 October before they fly to Portugal on 24 October to begin their final preparations for the four-Test series.

England will play South Africa (3 November), New Zealand (10 November), Japan (17 November) and Australia (24 November) at Twickenham Stadium, with the kick off for all games at 3pm, live on Sky Sports HD.

Earlier this week, Mitchell was confirmed as England’s new defence coach until the end of the Rugby World Cup 2019 and Scott Wisemantel will continue as attack coach for the Quilter Internationals.

England training squad

Forwards (20)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
Michael Rhodes (Saracens)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors)
Brad Shields (Wasps)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs (16)
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Nathan Earle (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Dan Robson (Wasps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

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