Jones drops four players ahead of England v Wales clash
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has called up 33 players to assemble at Pennyhill Park ahead of England’s first World Cup warm-up against Wales on Sunday at Twickenham Stadium
With no new players added to the squad following England’s 12-day training camp in Treviso, Italy, Mike Brown (Harlequins), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Saracens) and Ben Te’o (unattached) are not included in this week’s squad.
In addition, Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) will continue his rehabilitation in camp.
Jones said: “We have worked hard and now move into a four-game preparation phase where the development of the team tactically is paramount. We are grateful for the strong opposition to test our game fitness.
“By the time we fly out on the 8th of September we will be ready to win the Rugby World Cup. We are not there yet but we have four games to get ready.
“Players excluded from being involved in this camp are naturally disappointed but may get another opportunity so they must be ready.”
England will play Wales (August 11) and Ireland (August 24) at Twickenham Stadium and Italy (September 6) in Newcastle as part of their warm-ups as well as an away fixture against Wales (August 17) in Cardiff.
England will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (September 22) before playing USA Rugby in Kobe (September 26), Argentina in Tokyo (October 5) and France in Yokohama (October 12).
England squad:
Forwards: Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.
Backs: Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Piers Francis, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Ruaridh McConnochie, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
For rehabilitation: Jack Nowell
🌇 RISING SONS: Episode 4
The journey to Japan continues as Eddie puts the squad through their paces at a training camp in Treviso 👊 #WearTheRose 🌹 @O2Sports pic.twitter.com/EM4dE99LKE
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 30, 2019
