With England likely to rest a few players this summer, RUCK looks at five players who could get their opportunity to pull on the famous white jersey the summer tour to South Africa in June.
We take a look at five players who could be given a chance on that tour:
1. Dan Robson
It’s tough to understand why this Wasps star hasn’t been given international recognition. The scrum-half, despite playing a starring role in Wasps road to the Premiership final, was overlooked for England’s tour of Argentina last summer, being ignored in favour of 20-year-old Jack Maunder. It’s hard to see why, but Jones’ just doesn’t fancy him.
2. Tom Dunn
Despite being on the books of Bath since he was 15, Dunn had yet to make his first Premiership start at the age of 24 when Todd Blackadder arrived. However, since making his maiden league start against Gloucester in October 2016, Dunn has worked his way into the England training squad and established himself as one of, if not the best hooker in the Premiership.
3. Manu Tuilagi
Jones has resisted the temptation to fast-track centre Manu Tuilagi into the Six Nations. The Aussie has voluntarily allowed Tuilagi to build up his fitness and form at Leicester Tigers. Long an object of fascination for Jones off the back of his barnstorming performance against New Zealand in 2012, the 26-year-old is looking good but this is the eighth comeback of a truncated career. Hopefully, we will see him in an England shirt again soon.
4. Brendon O’Connor
Turnover machine O’Connor is a player Jones needs to put an arm around as he is genuinely one of the most talented Number 7’s we have seen in years. Following on from England’s back-row problems we’d like to see him given a chance at the highest level. The New Zealand-born flanker is qualified to represent England at international level through his Grandmother.
5. Alex Lewington
The speedsters wing play at times is captivating, and he is a player who for sure deserves to be at least in the reckoning for an England place, especially following an injury to Anthony Watson. Moving to Saracens next season will definitely boost his chance of getting a call-up in the near future.