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Eddie Jones explains Dylan Hartley omission

By Chris Jones
Dylan Hartley during the 2018 Six Nations match between England and Wales. Photo / Getty Images

Eddie Jones admits he does not know when captain Dylan Hartley will be fit to regain his place in the England squad for the Six Nations campaign.

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Hartley has a knee injury and misses the opening game with Grand Slam champions Ireland on February 2 and is likely to sit out the next game with France. He is not joining the rest of the squad on their Portugal training camp and also out injured are Jonathan Joseph and Chris Robshaw while Danny Care has lost out to Dan Robson for the third scrum-half place.

Jones said: “Unfortunately, Dylan won’t be available for the Ireland game so we won’t take him to Portugal but we are hopeful he will be back later in the series. Owen will be captain by himself and he will certainly have great support from a number of senior players.

“We haven’t see Joe Launchbury since South Africa, he has come back and had a good couple of games for Wasps and looks in good shape,” said England’s head coach.

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“He is an important player for us, he has played over 50 Tests. Billy has had a dreadful run of injuries, he’s also played two good games for Saracens and we’re delighted to have him back in the squad.

“We also have guys like Ellis Genge and Mako Vunipola coming back in. Genge is a good young prop and he will challenge Mako for his starting place.”

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There are four uncapped players in the squad with Ollie Thorley, Ben Earl, Dan Robson and Jack Singleton all included while there are also returns for Jack Clifford and Ollie Devoto.

Thorley won the World Rugby U20 Championship with England in 2016, and on his inclusion Jones said: “He is a big strong lad, he runs hard, he has got good pace and good strength, has improved his skill and understanding of the game and deserves his opportunity.

“Both Jack and Ollie (Devoto) were important members for us in 2016 and 2017, both have had difficult times with injuries and both have now come back with their clubs and played really well. Ollie is a good, strong inside centre and Jack can play six, seven or No 8.”

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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