Just three spots up for grabs as Jones hints he knows the identity of 28 of England's RWC 31
Eddie Jones has revealed there are just three places left to fill to complete his 31-strong England squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan to be named on August 12.
The head coach, who announced an official training squad on Thursday made up of 35 fit players and three rehabilitating from injury, will use the training camps and the first warm-up game with Wales on August 11 to finalise his selection decisions and will then have his chosen squad for the remaining games with Wales (August 17), Ireland (August 24) and Italy (September 6) to work out his starting XV for the tournament.
Central to those discussions will be Gloucester No10 Danny Cipriani, who will only make the plane for Japan if Jones opts to go with three outside-halves – something he would prefer to avoid as it would give him more flexibility when choosing his backs.
Sevens convert Ruaridh McConnochie, the Bath wing, is making Jones think again about his back three options, while Joe Marler’s decision to come out of retirement has made the choice of the back-up loosehead to Mako Vunipola a tricky choice.
Jones insists that even without Dylan Hartley, Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and Danny Care the squad will have enough experience to handle the pressure of a World Cup.
There was no greater show of faith in England's RWC 2019 potential than Joe Marler's decision to come out of Test retirement ? https://t.co/Gcvxer4gJ2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 4, 2019
He said: “If you don’t know after four years, there’s something wrong. The great thing for us is that we’ve had a couple of young guys come through who we didn’t know a lot about, such as Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam (Northampton).
“Those X-factor players who come through late are an added bonus. They are like the extra present under the Christmas tree that you didn’t know about. That’s what makes it so exciting.
“I have had a four-year plan. The first two years is building the base, which is about experienced players. And you hope those experienced players can continue on to the World Cup. Some do and some don’t – and the game changes a bit, which is something we don’t control.
BREAKING | Your 35-man England @rugbyworldcup training squad ?
? https://t.co/YTNUSNu1Kj#RWC2019 #CarryThemHome pic.twitter.com/8oJBmM66ta
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 4, 2019
“So we have had to make alterations to some of the experienced guys who we maybe thought would go to the World Cup, but now potentially aren’t going.
“We are maybe a little bit shy (in terms of experience), but there are some factors which you just can’t control 100 per cent. I’m happy with the squad we’ve got. I want to keep improving the squad.
“If other people become available we will look at them. And Dylan is one of those guys. He did a great job for us as captain, that’s not forgotten, but you have got to be fit to play in the World Cup.
https://www.instagram.com/p/By2kMfcg-4n/
“The balance of character is so important. You have to have a balance between young guys who just want to rip in and train hard, and then experienced players you give you calmness and focus. We want to keep the squad fresh and there is competition for certain places.
“The big thing for us is having that cooperative competition. We are building a team to win the World Cup, but at the same time, we want guys. It is one of the hardest things in life to balance, cooperation and competition.”
Jones, who is keeping an open mind about Cipriani, added: “He’s one of 38 players and has an opportunity to show us that.
“This is the most exciting time for the team because we have got the only time in English rugby where you have got four or five weeks with players to build a team. He has an opportunity to show it just as the other 37 players have, so I’m eager to see how he goes.”
Jones confirmed that the England squad’s wives and girlfriends will not be allowed in team hotels in Japan. It’s an issue he does not want to have to deal with.
“I don’t know. I’m not a travel agent. How am I expected to know? We haven’t selected a squad. They can be there, but they won’t be in the team hotel. It’s the same rule we have in England that we will have in Japan.”
WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary on the many adventures that fans can expect to experience in Japan at this year’s World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Crusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to comments