CONFIRMED: SA-born lock makes England cut for November Tests
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed his squad for the upcoming November internationals.
There are six uncapped players in the squad and one of them is South African-born lock David Ribbans.
Ribbans was included in Jones’ training squad last month and he has done enough to impress the coach.
The 27-year-old is a former Western Province player and he has been playing for Northampton Saints since 2017.
He is not the only former WP player in the England squad.
Uncapped prop Val Rapava Ruskin, who was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, represented Western Province at Under-19 level a decade ago.
Meanwhile, Henry Slade has been left out of England’s squad in a surprise decision by Jones.
Slade missed the tour to Australia in July because of shoulder surgery but has been in action for Exeter since the start of the season.
Will Joseph, Guy Porter, Manu Tuilagi and Owen Farrell are the recognised centres named in the 36-man group that will face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham next month.
Prop Kyle Sinckler is also back, having sat out the 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies because of a back issue.
Harlequins’ uncapped wing Cadan Murley features in a senior England squad for the first time but experienced players Elliot Daly and Joe Marler miss out.
“We are pleased with the depth and the strength of the squad.
“The autumn internationals will be like a mini World Cup for us, starting with two tough games against Argentina and Japan which mirrors our pool fixtures at next year’s tournament.
“Then we’ll have knock-out type games against New Zealand and South Africa – all four games will be great tests for us.”
England face Argentina in the first of their four matches at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, November 6.
They will then host Japan on Saturday, November 12, followed by New Zealand on Saturday, November 19.
Their final match is against South Africa on Saturday, November 26.
England squad:
Forwards: Alex Coles (Northampton, uncapped), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Tom Curry (Sale), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Jonny Hill (Sale), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), George McGuigan (Newcastle, uncapped), Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester, uncapped), David Ribbans (Northampton, uncapped), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Jack Singleton (Gloucester), Hugh Tizard (Saracens, uncapped), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Jack Willis (Wasps).
Backs: Henry Arundell (London Irish), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Furbank (Northampton), Will Joseph (London Irish), Max Malins (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Guy Porter (Leicester), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Manu Tuilagi (Sale), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester), Ben Youngs (Leicester).
Additional source: AFP
