Eddie Jones names co-captains for Barbarians clash - Ruck

Eddie Jones names co-captains for Barbarians clash

George Ford will co-captain England for the Quilter Cup clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

Ford and Chris Robshaw have been named as co-captains after fulfilling the roles in last year’s fixture against the Baa Baas and Samoa this season.

Ford’s Leicester Tigers team-mate Ben Youngs makes a return in an England shirt for the uncapped match, following a knee injury he picked up against Italy in this season’s NatWest 6 Nations.



Jonny May will play on the right wing, Mike Brown is on the left with Elliot Daly wearing the number 15 jersey.

Tigers front rowers George McGuigan and Ellis Genge are named on the bench.

Piers Francis who made his England debut in Argentina last June, will partner uncapped Henry Trinder in the midfield.

Robshaw will play in the backrow alongside Tom Curry – who became the youngest player to start an international for England in 90 years against Argentina last year – and the former England U20 captain Zach Mercer.

Dan Robson and Danny Cipriani are named on the bench for the first time under Jones.

Head coach Eddie Jones said: “This is a good young squad and their work ethic has been outstanding over the last two weeks. Their application to learn has been very good but they are very young at Test rugby level so this week’s match against the Barbarians is a fantastic opportunity for them to step up.


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“It is a great opportunity for them to show they deserve to wear the English rose, to show they can be in contention for the World Cup and a great opportunity for them to put us on the front foot ahead of the South Africa tour.

“You never know what to expect from the Barbarians team. We know they will be well coached by Pat Lam, we know they have got good individual players and some outstanding individual players, so we need to be up for the unexpected.

“As last year Chris Robshaw and George Ford will co-captain the side. Their combined experience and expertise gives us the best captaincy level for the game.

“We can’t wait to get back to Twickenham and get on the front foot, please the fans and play some good rugby.”