"Too small" - The 5 biggest omissions from Eddie Jones' England squad explained
Rugby NewsMonday, 20 June 2022 at 10:46
Eddie Jones has explained the biggest decisions in his latest England squad.
The head coach named the selection that will travel down under to take on Australia in a three-match series.
After two poor Six Nations in a row, England need to win in Australia and inject some momentum into the World Cup cycle
Jones said: “Though we have nine players unavailable due to injury, we have picked a very strong squad capable of winning the series. This squad is a real mix of young, talented players and some very experienced, senior players and we’re looking forward to bring the group together.
“This tour will be a great experience for the group and a crucial part of the team’s work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2023. We will continue to develop the base of the squad and how we want to play.
“We’ve put a lot of work into preparation for the tour over the past few weeks but now the hard work really begins when we finally get the squad on the plane and to Australia.”
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Alex Dombrandt, George Ford, Joe Launchbury, Louis Lynagh, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Nic Dolly and Anthony Watson.
Meanwhile, Ben Youngs has chosen not to travel due to personal reasons.
ENGLAND'S BIGGEST OMISSIONS:
#1. Ben Earl
- Age: 24
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Flanker
The dynamic back-rower, named Premiership player of the season, has been superb for Saracens and would have added some ball-carrying to the back row options with Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt injured. Reports suggest the Aussie doesn't think Earl is big enough for international rugby.
Ben Earl of Saracens applauds supporters the Gallagher Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at The StoneX Stadium, Hendon, London on November 6 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW? At school level Earl played much more cricket than rugby; he was an all-rounder and played for Kent until he was 15.
#2. Alfie Barbeary
- Age: 21
- Club: Wasps
- Position: Number 8
Alfie Barbeary of Wasps during the Gallagher Premiership rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Wasps at Sandy Park on 17 April 2021. Photo: Cameron Geran/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW? Alfie Barbeary was a centre through most of his youth career, naming Ma'a Nonu and Mathieu Bastareaud as his ultimate references
#3. Max Malins
- Age: 25
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Back-three
He did not have the best Six Nations but the Premiership's top try-scorer missing the squad completely is a big call.
Max Malins of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW? Whilst at school Malins was also a promising cricketer and field hockey player, representing the school 1st XI at both sports from the age of 15 and top scoring in the 2014 Cape Town international Hockey Festival
#4. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
- Age: 31
- Club: Harlequins
- Position: Prop
Marler reportedly withdrew himself from England’s plans for the three-Test tour of Australia. The decision to skip the tour looks unlikely to affect his England prospects after he missed the same tour by choice back in 2016.
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
DID YOU KNOW? Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
#5. Alex Mitchell
- Age: 25
- Club: Newcastle Falcons
- Position: Northampton Saints
Alex Mitchell of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Harlequins and Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium on 27 December 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
DID YOU KNOW? Mitchell was formerly a member of the Sale Sharks system before joining the Northampton Saints academy in 2015
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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