England legend Chris Robshaw believes Eddie Jones should stick with his current back-row trio despite Jack Willis and Sam Simmonds red hot form.
Wasps flanker Willis impressed on his international bow against Georgia, while Exeter’s number 8 scored a superb hat-trick as Exeter Chiefs kicked off their Premiership season with a convincing win against Harlequins.
However, Robshaw still believes the current trio of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola, who all impressed against Ireland, remain England’s first choice trio.
“As good as the back row options are in England at the moment, still think the Curry, Underhill & B.Vunipola is the best combo we have,” wrote Robshaw on his Twitter.
However, Wales legend Jamie Roberts has backed Simmonds to play for the Lions, even if Jones doesn’t recall him.
LIST | 5 players we’d like to see Eddie Jones call up…
Now it’s time to look at a a number of players we’d like to see get an opportunity to get called up by Eddie Jones following the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership.
1. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
The number 8 scored a hat-trick as champions Exeter Chiefs began their Premiership title defence with a comfortable victory at Harlequins. Simmonds produced a superb solo finish in the first half before scoring from two rolling mauls late in the second.
Let’s make this very clear. This was not a flop over the line hat-trick at the back of the maul hat-trick like Jamie George’s for England last weekend against Georgia – two of the tries were finishes only capable from a world class athlete.