JONES NAMES FOUR UNCAPPED PLAYERS NAMED TO FACE WALES

May 27 • General News, International • 1577 Views • Comments Off on JONES NAMES FOUR UNCAPPED PLAYERS NAMED TO FACE WALES

Eddie Jones has named four uncapped players in his match-day 23 to face Wales for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup at Twickenham Stadium (kick-off 3pm, live on Sky Sports).

Northampton Saints back-row forward Teimana Harrison will earn his first England cap at blind-side flanker replacing Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) who is rested. Elsewhere the uncapped trio of Sale Sharks hooker Tommy Taylor, Leicester Tigers loose-head prop Ellis Genge and Bath Rugby centre Ollie Devoto are included as replacements.

Jack Clifford (Harlequins) starts at No 8 with Joe Launchbury (Wasps) and Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) making up the second-row pairing. There are also starts for Wasps loose-head prop Matt Mullan, Harlequins wing Marland Yarde and Northampton Saints centre Luther Burrell.

Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) and Paul Hill (Northampton Saints) are also named amongst the replacements.

“We’ve picked a side we believe can beat Wales,” said England head coach Jones. “It’s a good mixture of experienced players and youth.

“Obviously we have a number of players missing from the squad who are taking part in the Premiership Final but this provides us with a great opportunity to expose other players to Test rugby. This will serve to strengthen the squad’s depth as we move towards the 2019 World Cup.

“We’ve prepared well this week and I’m pleased with the progress the squad have made in the time we’ve had together. There’s been plenty of energy and enthusiasm and you can tell the lads have enjoyed being back in camp.

“As always there were some tight calls on selection and that’s how we want it. There are some new faces to the squad. Teimana Harrison gets a start at six, which is a great chance for him to make a statement ahead of the tour to Australia. Ellis Genge and Tommy Taylor have all trained well this week and deserve their spots in the 23.

“This is an important Test match and a great opportunity for us to play some positive, physical rugby. We are a young team learning our craft, Wales are an experienced team; it’ll be great test for us.

“We can’t wait to get back to Twickenham to play in front of a massive crowd. England versus Wales is a special occasion and we look forward to giving our loyal fans something to cheer about.”

England match-day 23 for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup game against Wales

15. Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 48 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)
11. Marland Yarde (Harlequins, 7 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps)

1. Matt Mullan (Wasps 9 caps)
2. Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 71 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 61 caps)
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 32 caps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 45 caps)
6. Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
7. James Haskell (Wasps, 67 caps)
8. Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 5 caps)

Replacements

16. Tommy Taylor (Sales Sharks, uncapped)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
18. Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
19. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
20. Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 58 caps)
22. Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
23. Elliot Daly (Wasps, 3 caps)