Jones trims England squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England have retained 25 players to continue their preparations for their Six Nations match again Ireland in Dublin on February 2.
The two big injury blows for England head coach Eddie Jones are Ben Te’o and Brad Shields with side strains.
Neither men were involved in Tuesday’s training session but will remain with the squad to continue their reconditioning until Thursday when the team travel to Dublin.
Shields pulled out of Wasps’ recent Champions Cup game with Leinster at the Ricoh because of a side strain but travelled to the Algarve to join up with the England squad.
Shields was not involved in training on Tuesday prompting fears he would not be fit in time to make the game at the Aviva Stadium.
The former Hurricanes captain broke into the England squad for the June tour of South Africa and can operate at lock or in the backrow.
He was first choice blindside flank during the November internationals for matches against South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
The biggest casualties to drop out are Leicester prop Dan Cole and Bath centre Jonathan Joseph. With Te’o also out it looks increasingly likely that Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi are in pole position to be named in the centre, unless Eddie Jones elects to put Elliot Daly in there which would mean a potential recall for Mike Brown at fullback.
The ten players to drop out are Dan Cole, Ben Earl, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Jack Singleton, Joe Cokanasiga, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph, Ben T’eo and Ollie Thorley.
England squad:
Forwards:
Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Kyle Sinckler, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson
Backs:
Chris Ashton, Mike Brown, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell (captain), George Ford, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs
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