Eddie Jones recalls five stars ahead of Wales Six Nations clash

Tuesday, 15 February 2022 at 06:26

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byRugby Rucker

England boss Eddie Jones hopes to welcome back his heavy artillery for the visit of Wales to Twickenham in round three of the Six Nations.

While the men in white got their Six Nations campaign back on track with a bonus-point win in Rome, far tougher tests fast approach with consecutive games at Twickenham against Wales and Ireland before a challenging final-round trip to unbeaten France.

Find below the four major stars expected to return for the third round of the 2022 Six Nations.

#1. Manu Tuilagi

Age: 30
Position: Centre
Club: Sale Sharks

Jones revealed post-Italy that he would be chatting with Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson about Tuilagi's fitness after the centres impressive 50-minute try-scoring display against Worcester.

“Just having a power-running centre would give us a different option,” Jones said following the 33-0 win against Italy.

“Everything we’re doing now is about trying to create opportunities through finesse and that’s through good running lines and passing. But to have someone who can take you forward quickly and engage two or three defenders then allows you to try and finesse in extra space which would be really useful to us.”

DID YOU KNOW? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

#2. Lewis Ludlam

Age: 26
Position: Flanker
Club: Northampton Saints

The Northampton Saints star was one of England's better performers in the opening round defeat to Scotland before he was forced off late on before subsequently being ruled out with rib cartilage damage.

However, Jones has confirmed that he should be back in contention to start against Wayne Pivac's men in a fortnight's time.

DID YOU KNOW? He is of paternal Palestinian and maternal Guyanese descent

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#3. Courtney Lawes

Age: 32
Position: Second-row/Flanker
Club: Northampton Saints

The second-row, who is likely to resume as captain following the Autumn Nations Series, has been sidelined with a head injury suffered in mid-January as he progresses through the return to play protocols.

Lawes has been restricted to running and weight training but Jones is hopeful he will be back in full contact training by the end of the week.

DID YOU KNOW? He is a product of Northampton Old Scouts, the same club that produced his former teammate Rob Milligan as well as Ben Cohen and Steve Thompson, amongst others

Courtney Lawes, Captain 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

#4. Jonny May

Age: 31
Position: Winger
Club: Gloucester

An ongoing knee problem got progressively worse, resulting in his subsequent withdrawal from Eddie Jones' initial 36-man training squad.

May has been an ever-present under Jones since 2017 and is an influential member of the backline, creating a highlights reel of spectacular tries, and reports suggest he could now be back in contention for the Wales match.

Jones is set to give an update on his wing-wizard later today.

DID YOU KNOW? Since making his debut in 2013 he has won 65 caps for England, and is their second top try scorer.

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

#5. Joe Launchbury

Age: 30
Position: Second-row
Club: Wasps

The Wasps captain, who was briefly called into camp last week after two matches for Wasps after a lengthy layoff with a knee injury, is also set to come into contention to face Wales.

DID YOU KNOW? His nickname in the England set up is "Launchers".

Wasps player Joe Launchbury during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Wasps and Sale Sharks at Ricoh Arena on 27 Mar. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK