Uncapped Barbeary chosen in 33-strong England squad but Joseph will miss Nations Cup final versus France

England boss Eddie Jones has assembled a 33-strong squad for the early-week preparation ahead of Sunday’s Autumn Nations Cup decider against France, a gathering that includes a first call-up for uncapped Wasps flanker Alfie Barbeary but Jonathan Joseph, a starter in all four recent games, misses out.  

Joseph, who was chosen at outside centre for the Six Nations title-clinching win last month over Italy, had been picked at right wing for the November Nations Cup victories against Georgia, Ireland and Wales. 

While Jones claimed post-game on Saturday in Llanelli that there were no major injury worries coming out of the win over the Welsh, Joseph has now withdrawn from the squad to face the French at Twickenham with a calf injury. 

Dylan Hartley and Ryan Wilson talk Autumn Nations Cup

Dylan Hartley and Ryan Wilson talk Autumn Nations Cup

Jones initially assembled a squad of 35 at the start of last week to prepare for Wales but that has now been cut to 33 for France. With Joseph steeping out of the backs, fit-again Joe Marchant and Jacob Umaga are included in the 15 chosen.

Eighteen forwards – down from 21 last week – have been selected. Tom Dunn, Lewis Ludlam, Beno Obano and David Ribbans are all excluded while Barbeary, the 20-year-old Wasps hooker, makes the step-up.

Due to rugby politics, France will field a weakened side in the Autumn Nations Cup final, but England scrumhalf Ben Youngs is still expecting a tough test.https://t.co/JbwqWGbRLU

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 30, 2020

The youngster excitingly turned heads in early September when he scored a Premiership try hat-trick in his first start for Wasps versus Leicester, a selection in his alternative position at flanker. 

ENGLAND SQUAD (v France, Sunday)  
Backs (15) 
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 46 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 87 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 71 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 3 caps)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 4 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 60 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Dan Robson (Wasps, 6 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps)
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 103 caps)

Forwards (18)
Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 27 caps)
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 53 caps)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 42 caps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 68 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 71 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 39 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 55 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 63 caps)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 2 caps)

Sport England research shows women are exercising less than men, due in part to taking on more household tasks, child care and homeschooling than men. @_JessHayden ??? on this and the other obstacles standing in the way of women taking up the sport https://t.co/A3N1Md63yk

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 30, 2020