Eight Uncapped Players Join England's Six Nations Squad Against Italy

IMAGE VIA BATH RUGBY

England head coach Eddie Jones has announced eight uncapped players as part of his 35-man squad for the Six Nations opener against Italy.

Jones, who recently signed a two-year extension until 2021, has promoted Bath Rugby’s Zach Mercer from his apprenticeship to “full player” statues. Meanwhile, Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith will continue as an apprentice.

Back-rower Mercer could be in line to make his debut against Italy due to the injury crisis in the back row with Billy Vunipola, Nathan Hughes, Sam Underhill and Jack Clifford will all be missing and James Haskell is suspended.

Due to the absents of Vunipola and Hughes, Sam Simmonds, who earned his first cap during the Autumn internationals, is likely to be starting at Number Eight.

The other uncapped players joining this injury-hit squad included Quins’ 20-year-old prop Lewis Boyce replacing his team-mate Joe Marler who’s currently on a six-week suspension.

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Prop Alec Hepburn from Exeter Chiefs earned his first call-up and Newcastle Falcons’ Gary Graham retains his spot having been involved in training with the England team previously this month.

Bath hooker Tom Dunn was also named alongside Saracens winger Nathan Earle and Harry Mallinder from Northampton Saints, who could be played at fly-half, centre and fullback. Both Earle and Mallinder travelled with England for the Summer tour in Argentina but weren’t capped.

“I have selected the strongest available squad to prepare for our opening match against Italy,” said Jones during the press conference.

“While we have a few players unavailable through injury and suspension, it has provided opportunity for others who will be desperate to be involved in the Italy game.”

England Squad

Backs

Full Backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins); Nathan Earle (Saracens)*; Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)*; Jonny May (Leicester Tigers); Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby).

Inside Backs

Danny Care (Harlequins); Owen Farrell (Saracens); George Ford (Leicester Tigers); Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby); Alex Lozowski (Saracens); Jack Norwell (Exeter Chiefs); Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs); Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors); Marcus Smith (Harlequins)* **; Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards

Back Five

Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons)*; Nick Isiekwe (Saracens); Maro Itoje (Saracens); George Kruis (Saracens); Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints); Joe Launchbury (Wasps); Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)*; Chris Robshaw (Harlequins); Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs); Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).

Front Row

Lewis Boyce (Harlequins)*; Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers); Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)*; Jamie George (Saracens); Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints); Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs)*; Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins); Mako Vunipola (Saracens); Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs).

Uncapped *
Apprentice Player **