Eddie Jones has revealed the reason he took off Marcus Smith as he calls up reinforcements ahead of their clash with Italy on Sunday.
"I felt at that stage, we needed to change things,” Jones said. England were leading 17-10 when Smith was replaced in the 63rd minute.
"Everybody has got a judgement but I have been a television commentator and I was the smartest coach in the world, I got everything right,
“And it is easy with the hindsight of replays to get everything right. I don’t have any regrets about what happened on Saturday in terms of the replacements we made.”
Joe Launchbury returns to the squad for the first time since December 2020. There is also a call up for Tom Pearson of London Irish.
Luke Northmore reported with a hamstring injury and is unable to train. Courtney Lawes is progressing through return to play protocols and Jonny Hill will be with the squad in camp to continue his rehab.
England squad:
Forwards: Alfie Barbeary, Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Tom Pearson, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart.
Backs: Mark Atkinson, Elliot Daly, George Ford, George Furbank, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Louis Lynagh, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jack Nowell, Raffi Quirke, Adam Radwan, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs.
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#BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward
- 14. Jack Nowell
for Joe Marchant
- 11. Adam Radwan for Max Malins
Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stoop, London on January 8th 2022. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#CENTRES:
- 13. Henry Slade
- 12. Manu Tuilagi for Elliot Daly
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
#HALFBACKS:
- 10. Marcus Smith
- 9. Raffi Quirke for Ben Youngs
Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Ellis Genge
- 2. Jamie George for Luke Cowan-Dickie
- 3. Kyle Sinckler
Jamie George 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
#SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Maro Itoje
- 5. Joe Launchbury for Nick Isiekwe
Maro Itoje of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#BACK-ROW:
- 6. Courtney Lawes for Lewis Ludlam
- 7. Tom Curry
- 8. Alex Dombrandt for Sam Simmonds
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
