An alternative England XV: We pick a team from players unlucky to miss out... - Page 4 of 4 - Ruck

An alternative England XV: We pick a team from players unlucky to miss out…

Lock: Callum Green – Newcastle Falcons

A regular in our Team of the Week, Green has been a standout player for Newcastle with his carries and his impressive defence. He’s won 37 lineouts this season and is, without a doubt deserving of a call-up to allow him to take his game to the next level. Nevertheless, England are blessed with a plator of fantastic second-rows, making this incredibly difficult.


Lock: Jamie Gibson – Northampton Saints

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Gibson has been thriving of late with Saints, proving himself to be an efficient lineout operator and warrior at the breakdown. However, like Green, will struggle to displace any of the England regulars.


Flanker: – Mark Wilson – Newcastle Falcons

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Flanker was one of the most eagerly-contested positions prior to England’s summer tour to Argentina. Although Sam Underhill and Tom Curry both impressed, it was Wilson who particularly stood out with two barnstorming displays. Jones put his none-selection down to form, but that’s hard to buy when you look at how the Falcons have performed this season so far. His advancing years probably don’t help him.


Flanker: Don Armand – Exeter Chiefs

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Scoring two tries in Exeter’s memorable away win against Montpellier, it was a bit of a surprise that he wasn’t included in Eddie Jones squad. Armand, 29, made his England debut in June, but like Wilson, seems to have been overlooked in favour of younger players.

We could have easily selected James Haskell here, but we agree with Jones that the flanker is out of form. Still, with the experience of back-to-back Six Nations titles under his belt, his experience would have been useful.


Number 8: Lewis Ludlow – Gloucester

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The Cherry and Whites back-rower has made the most tackles in the Premiership, landing 114 hits already this season. He’s probably been unlucky that Exeter’s Sam Simmonds has been so outstanding so far this season.