VIDEO: Jones 'expanding England depth' on SA tour

Jones said the trip is "a chance to expand England's depth".

Top of the list is the controversial selection of Hurricanes captain Brad Shields – who has been named in the England squad, who is listed among the loose forwards, despite still being involved in Super Rugby with the New Zealand franchise.,

His selection – not exactly a secret – has already caused a massive stir and the debate is set to intensify in the weeks to come.

Jones has selected seven new players for the tour – including Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps), Ben Earl (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) and Jack Willis (Wasps).

Danny Cipriani (Wasps) makes a return to the England setup having last played for his country in 2015.

Billy Vunipola (Saracens) is recalled after recovering from injury having last played for England in the 2017 Six Nations. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) – a year after last featuring for England in the two-Test series in Argentina – is also included.

In the absence of Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) due to a concussion, Owen Farrell (Saracens) will be captain for the tour.

Danny Care (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (Wasps) and Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) have been rested for the tour.

England has only won 23 percent of their matches against the Springboks in South Africa with the last win coming in Bloemfontein back in 2000.

"Our tour to South Africa will be the most exciting challenge for us as a group since 2016," the coach, Jones, said.

"We have an opportunity to create some history next month and win the Test series, something no England side has done before.

"There are a number of players out injured or not selected so it provides a big opportunity for others.

"With three weeks to prepare for the first Test in Johannesburg I am expecting players to come into camp with the right mindset and we will be looking for them to break the mould in terms of being more assertive and on the front foot in everything we do.

"We will need to be physically aggressive and tactically smart against the Springboks who we know will be combative and reinvigorated by their new coaching setup."

Jones has also confirmed a 31-man squad which will train in Brighton next week ahead of the tour and England's match against the Barbarians on Sunday, May 27, at Twickenham.

Following the conclusion of the Premiership semifinals next weekend, a final training squad will be confirmed to prepare for the Barbarians match.

England will play South Africa in three Tests in Johannesburg (June 9), Bloemfontein (June 16) and Cape Town (June 23).

* Scott Wisemantel will join Jones' coaching staff for the tour to South Africa as an attack consultant.

The 48-year-old Australian was recently the backline coach for Top 14 club Montpellier – working with Jake White.  

England squad for South Africa tour

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens) , Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/ Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Willis (Wasps), Mark Wilson (Newcastle),  Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs).

Not considered for selection

Backs: Danny Care (Harlequins), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Watson (Bath), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens).

Forwards: Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors), Sam Underhill (Bath).

England training squad:

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish), Ben Loader (London Irish), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Jason Woodward (Gloucester), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Vellacott (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Ellis (Bath), Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints), Josh McNally (London Irish), Zach Mercer (Bath), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Jono Ross (Sale Sharks), Elliott Stooke (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers), Beno Obano (Bath), Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors).

Your England squad for next month's three-Test tour to South Africa 🌹

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