Daly absent as England name 32-strong squad for next Sunday's Barbarians game

Elliot Daly has been omitted from the 32-strong England squad for next Sunday’s game with the Barbarians but Piers Francis is back having recovered from coronavirus. No reason was given by the Rugby Football Union for Daly’s absence, with head coach Eddie Jones set to give an update on the Saracens centre at lunchtime on Tuesday.

However, he is unfit to train this week and will play no part in the curtain-raiser to England’s autumn schedule. Francis was picked in Jones’ first squad since the Six Nations earlier this month but was forced to withdraw and self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 as a result of playing Sale on September 29.

Tom de Glanville’s hopes of making his England debut in the non-cap international at Twickenham have been dashed following his omission from the 32 who will gather at their training base in south-west London for the first game for Jones’ side since March.

What Test rugby looked like on the other side of the world last weekend

What Test rugby looked like on the other side of the world last weekend

Jones said: “This is an important game for us and we’re looking forward to getting back to Twickenham and playing rugby. We’ve had two really good camps, going back to basics and how we want to play.  The Barbarians squad has a rich blend of talent, so this week we’ll be testing ourselves under pressure and looking to take our game to the next level.”

Joe Marler (Harlequins) will also join up with the squad for reconditioning. Following the Quilter Cup, which is an uncapped fixture, England will travel to Rome to face Italy in the final round of the delayed 2020 Guinness Six Nations on October 31. 

"The environment couldn’t be better set-up to avoid spread. Let’s hope it works out. Please God, we’ll get lucky"

– @IanCostello1 tells @heagneyl why virus outbreak is just another little challenge in the incredible @WaspsRugby @premrugby campaign ????https://t.co/wbPUbKQRiV

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 18, 2020

England will then play four matches as part of the Autumn Nations Cup, returning to Twickenham Stadium for Quilter Internationals against Georgia (November 14) and Ireland (November 21).

They will then face Wales away (November 28 ) before a placing match at home to determine a final position in the competition (December 6). Jones recently named 28 and 26-man squads for two three-day camps in the build-up to the autumn programme

ENGLAND SQUAD (v Barbarians)

Backs: A Crossdale (Saracens), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), P Francis (Northampton Saints), G Furbank (Northampton Saints), W Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), O Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), J Marchant (Harlequins), J May (Gloucester Rugby), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), O Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), A Watson (Bath Rugby), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards: T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), T Dunn (Bath Rugby), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Worcester Warriors), M Itoje (Saracens), A Moon (Northampton Saints), B Obano (Bath Rugby), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), S Underhill (Bath Rugby), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), M Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Foden tells @chrisjonespress that he predicts an influx of English players making the move to Major League Rugby.

'They would love the opportunity to finish their careers in the USA' ??https://t.co/Rmch3WekUU

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 19, 2020