An alternative England XV: We pick a team from players unlucky to miss out on Six Nations selection…

There were always going to be some tough calls and with competition for places fiercer than ever before, a number of classy players have been left disappointed

We pick a team out of those players unlucky to miss out…

Despite being one of the hottest talents in the Premiership last season, it remains to be seen whether Jones has identified the speedster as a possible starter for his England team. Despite scoring the winning try on debut for Gloucester, Woodward has had a mixed start to life at Kingsholm, however, with limited specialist full-backs, it would have been interesting to see him given a chance.

The international wilderness is the most frustrating limbo in sport and this speedster has been trapped in there for far too long. Wade scored 18 tries in 25 appearances for Wasps last season and has already run nine tries this campaign. Very rarely is a player that did nothing wrong in their first game and has shown consistent form at club level ignored, but Wade is definitely one.

Marchant, who was named in the Premiership team of the season, was one of 15 uncapped players named in the England tour party to Argentina in June for a 2-test series, but unfortunately had to pull out due to injury. The 21-year-old Quins star may not be playing at his best right now, but he remains one England's hottest up and coming talents.

Jones has resisted the temptation to fast-track centre Manu Tuilagi straight into the Six Nations. The Aussie has voluntarily allowed Tuilagi to build up his fitness and form at Leicester Tigers. Long an object of fascination for Jones off the back of his barnstorming performance against New Zealand in 2012, the 26-year-old is just four games into the eighth comeback of a truncated career. Hopefully, we will see him in an England shirt again soon.

In-form Exeter wing Woodburn has been snubbed by England once again. Despite notching tries for fun last season, he was overlooked for the tour to Argentina and remains outside of Jones’ plans. The winger has beaten the second most defenders in the Premiership with 45 and has made the second-most metres 1,766.

Cipriani’s future may be unclear but what is not is that the 30-year-old is playing as well as any fly-half in the land. It seems highly unlikely he would stay at Wasps unless Eddie Jones has a change of heart and makes him part of his World Cup plans. Given that Jones has still to pick him two years after taking charge that seems improbable, even if England legend Jeremy Guscott says “Cipriani’s form suggests he should be in the squad. Full stop.”

Similar to Wade, it’s tough to understand why this Wasps star hasn’t been given international recognition. Robson, despite playing a starring role in Wasps road to the Premiership final, was overlooked for England’s tour of Argentina in the summer, being ignored in favour of 20-year-old Jack Maunder. It’s hard to see why, but Jones’ just doesn’t fancy him.

Arriving from Championship side Jersey in 2013, Barrington has managed to develop himself a reputation as a fine scrummager and a dependable prop forward. With Marler suspended, the Sarries prop must of been in with a chance of making Eddie Jones' squad.

The Leicester hooker has been in the international wilderness since the 2015 Rugby World Cup but has been in terrific form for the Tigers so far this season. With a number of up and coming young hookers available, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie George and Tommy Taylor to name a few, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to get back in.

The tighthead started off as a regular under Eddie Jones but slowly saw himself slip down the pecking order as a mix of injury and ill-discipline saw him nowhere near his best last season. Thankfully, Brookes seems to be slowly getting back towards his best, meaning his England career might not be over just yet.

A regular in our Team of the Week, Green has been a standout player for Newcastle with his carries and his impressive defence. He’s won 37 lineouts this season and is, without a doubt deserving of a call-up to allow him to take his game to the next level. Nevertheless, England are blessed with a plator of fantastic second-rows, making this incredibly difficult.

Hill has been thriving of late with Exeter Chiefs, proving himself to be an efficient lineout operator and warrior at the breakdown. However, like Green, will struggle to displace any of the England regulars.

Flanker was one of the most eagerly-contested positions prior to England’s summer tour to Argentina. Although Sam Underhill and Tom Curry both impressed, it was Wilson who particularly stood out with two barnstorming displays. Jones put his none-selection down to form, but that’s hard to buy when you look at how the Falcons have performed this season so far and the fact Wilson is the third top tackler in the division with 177. His advancing years probably haven't helped him.

Following a standout display in England's final Autumn International against Samoa, it was a bit of a surprise that he wasn’t included in Eddie Jones squad. The 29-year-old made his England debut in June, but like Wilson seems to have been overlooked in favour of younger players.

The Cherry and Whites back-rower has made the most tackles in the Premiership, landing 206 hits already this season. He’s probably been unlucky that Exeter’s Sam Simmonds has been so outstanding so far this season.