Sources have suggested that England boss Eddie Jones will make some shock decisions when naming hist England squad today.
According to the Mail Online, Ben Spencer will be the major absentee from the squad with Bath teammate Joe Cokanasiga along with Exeter duo Joe and Sam Simmonds also set to be left out
Call-ups are set to include Worcester powerhouse Ollie Lawrence, who Jones has reportedly earmarked to replace the injured Manu Tuilagi in the England midfield.
Other players set to be called-up include Wasps stars Dan Robson, Jack Willis and Jacob Umaga along with versatile Alfie Barbeary, who scored a hat-trick on his first black and gold start last month.
The 19-year-old powerhouse, who started at blindside flanker, scored three tries, offloaded to assist another, made 22 metres from his 12 carries and didn’t miss a tackle in an absolutely outstanding display. An exceptional young talent.
After the Premiership final on October 24, Jones will complete his squad with the addition of those from Exeter Chiefs and Wasps.
England have six upcoming fixtures this autumn starting with the uncapped Quilter Cup against the Barbarians (25 October, KO 2pm GMT, live on Sky Sports).
Following a trip to Rome to face Italy (31 Oct, KO 4.45pm GMT, live on ITV) in the final round of the delayed 2020 Guinness Six Nations, England will play four matches as part of the Autumn Nations Cup.
Quilter Internationals at Twickenham Stadium against Georgia (14 November, KO 3pm) and Ireland (21 November, KO 3pm), an away match v Wales (28 November, KO 4pm) before returning to Twickenham for a placing match to determine final position in the competition (6 December, KO 2pm). All Autumn Nations Cup games will be live on Amazon Prime.
LIST | 5 uncapped players who deserve a first cap from Eddie Jones
With the conclusion of the 2020 Six Nations and the Autumn Nations Cup fast approaching, here are five players that we’d love to see win their first England cap.
1. Tom Dunn (Bath)
An unused replacement during this year’s wet and wild Calcutta Cup encounter is the closest he's come to a cap.
The way he has restarted the Premiership campaign, spearheading Bath’s polished set-piece work, indicates that the 27-year-old fancies one.
The hooker is unbelievably competitive over every 50-50 ball, there is a real edge to him on the fringes and he is happy to do the unseen ground work.
Give him a call, Eddie!
2. Jack Willis (Wasps)
Jones was close to giving the flanker his debut in South Africa two years ago until a serious injury intervened, but his form since lockdown has led to further speculation that he might play a role in England’s autumn campaign.
In the Premiership, Willis has twice as many turnovers as his nearest competitor, making the argument for his selection an easy one.
The 23-year-old looks set to become a world superstar.
3. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
The 21-year-old, Jones’ original apprentice, was overlooked as a third fly-half for the 2020 Six Nations at the expense of 21-year-old Wasp Jacob Umaga.
However, his creative kicking tormented Umaga when Quins faced Wasps and he ended the campaign as the leagues top-scorer with 198 points.
Seems likely Jones will go with his tried and trusted pair of George Ford and Owen Farrell, but he really should start to blood Smith into the group.
4. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
The towering second-row has been thriving of late with Exeter Chiefs, proving himself to be an efficient lineout operator and warrior at the breakdown.
With Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury currently out injured, and George Kruis heading to Japan, the Exeter Chiefs man now deserves his chance on the international stage.
5. Ollie Thorley (Gloucester)
Keeps getting the call from Jones, but hasn’t been given a run out.
Thorley made his debut for the Cherry & Whites in 2013 as a 17-year-old, partnering World Cup winner Mike Tindall in the centre of an LV= Cup match, and has since gone onto become a key player at Kingsholm
A World Rugby U20 Championship winner in 2016, the 24-year-old has pace, power and an eye for the try line. In fact, Thorley leads the Premiership try-scoring charts with 11 touchdowns.
At 6ft 1in and 15st 8lb, he’s no shrinking violet either.
