Eddie Jones picks the ‘first’ name on his England team-sheet for Six Nations

Tuesday, 11 January 2022 at 08:39

photocentric vs youtube thumbnail coffee vs tea 2 1

byRugby Rucker

England head coach Eddie Jones has named Tom Curry as his key man and the first name on the team-sheet during an interview with BT Sport.

Maro Itoje is often held up as England's star player and future skipper, but Jones opted for his back-row sensation Curry as the man he 'wants to build his team around'.

Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Jones said: "One man who's done remarkably well for England is Tom Curry. You look at the way his game has developed since he came into the team during the last Lions tour in 2017.

"He's played at 6,7 and 8 for us and I can really see his game developing to another level. He came in as a very strong defensive player but I think he can really develop his attacking game in a similar way Richie McCaw did."

"There is no limit to where his game can go."

All England's Six Nations matches are live on BBC and ITV1.

ENGLAND'S PREDICTED SIX NATIONS SQUAD (BOYLE SPORTS):

PROPS (6):

Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)

Joe Marler of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

HOOKERS (3):

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Jame George (Saracens)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)

SECOND-ROW (4):

Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)

Maro Itoje of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK

BACK-ROW (5):

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
Sam Underhill (Bath RFC)

Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

SCRUM-HALVES (2):

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)

FLY-HALVES (3):

George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

CENTRES (3):

Manu Tuilagi Sale Sharks)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

BACK-THREE:

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
Jonny May (Gloucester)
Max Malins (Saracens)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints)

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK