An England coach has baffled reporters with his reason for Mako Vunipola’s omission from the England squad.
When coach Matt Proudfoot was asked about the 67-cap prop, who wasn’t recalled last week despite Ellis Genge and Joe Marler being ruled out, he said: “He needs to play regularly at Saracens”.
This doesn’t really make sense when you consider Mako has started five of Sarries seven Gallagher Premiership games this season. He literally couldn’t do that much more.
It’s even stranger when you consider that hooker Jamie Blamire, who has come off the bench against Tonga and Australia, has only started in seven league games in three seasons.
Zero so far in 2021/22 as Newcastle Falcons boss Dean Richards prefers to start games with George McGuigan.
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LIST: Three players Eddie Jones should call-up
Here, we list three players England head coach Eddie Jones should call-up ahead of their Autumn Nations Series finale against South Africa next Saturday.
#1. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
England can’t persist with playing Manu Tuilagi out wide, especially when there is plenty of quality talent waiting in the wings…literally. A 6ft 4in London Irish winger with lots of pace, Hassell-Collins has made seven clean breaks in this season’s Gallagher Premiership, scored two tries and covered 714 metres with the ball in hand – the second-highest figure in the competition. The 22-year-old has certainly done enough to warrant a look from the England boss.
