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Wasp duo Danny Cipriani and Dan Robson have FULLY made their way into the England team for the tour of South Africa this summer.
Joining the half-back pairing are eight uncapped players in Eddie Jones’ squad including three Saracens players scrum-half Ben Spencer, winger Nathan Earle and Ben Earl to cap off the perfect week for the 20-year-old flanker who signed a new contract with Sarries.
.@Saracens have a star on their hands 🔥— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) 25 January 2018
1️⃣9️⃣-year-old Ben Earl has been a breakout star among the #NewHeroes this season. pic.twitter.com/qu9vz8Etc3
Elsewhere, you have young Exeter Chiefs lock Jonny Hill, 18-year-old Sale fly-half Cameron Redpath. Meanwhile, it’s still amazing Robson is still uncapped for the Red Rose as he’s been the best scrum-half in the Premiership and he’ll be joined by his club teammate Jack Willis.
The one uncapped inclusion that has pissed off New Zealand Rugby Union and will likely annoy rugby pundits and ex-players is the addition of New Zealand born lock Brad Shields.
In their statement, the NZR made their feelings known “We are extremely disappointed that the RFU chose to take this unusual step in seeking this release given that Brad [Shields] has not yet played rugby in England.”
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Meanwhile, when asked about the recalling of Cipriani, Jones never added him because “I’ve never picked him. So I’ve picked him for the first time” the Australian said.
“I’ve watched him play closely and he deserves an opportunity. He’s got to prove he’s the best 10 in the squad, or the best 15” added the England boss.
As for the young players, it seems to be a baptism of fire with Jones stating “They’ve got the potential to that they’ve got the potential to show that they’ve got the ability to play Test match rugby and to show they can handle the toughness of a Test match series in South Africa.”
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In other news Owen Farrell will be captain with Dylan Hartley unavailable, Billy Vunipola makes a return and there are a number of senior players left out either for a rest or they’re injured including Anthony Watson, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, James Haskell and Dan Cole.
I do feel like Harlequins duo Mike Brown and Chris Robshaw should’ve taken a rest too and make way for players like Gloucester’s Jason Woodward and Zach Mercer from Bath. Hopefully, both players impressed during both England’s training squad in Brighton and the match against Barbarians.
England Squad to tour South Africa
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins); Danny Cipriani (Wasps); Elliot Daly (Wasps); Nathan Earle (Saracens); Owen Farrell (Saracens); George Ford (Leicester Tigers); Alex Lozowski (Saracens); Jonny May (Leicester Tigers); Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks); Dan Robson (Wasps); Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs); Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks); Ben Spencer (Saracens); Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors); Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs); Tom Curry (Sale Sharks); Ben Earls (Saracens); Ellis Genge (Leicester Tiger); Jamie George (Saracens); Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs); Nick Isiekwe (Saracens); Maro Itoje (Saracens); Joe Launchbury (Wasps); Joe Marler (Harlequins); Chris Robshaw (Harlequins); Brad Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps); Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs); Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins); Billy Vunipola (Saracens); Mako Vunipola (Saracens); Harry Williams (Leicester Tigers); Jack Willis (Wasps); Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Uncapped in bold
England First Test Team Prediction
15. Daly
14. May
13. Te’o
12. Lozowski
11. Earle
10. Cipriani
9. Robson
1. Marler
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Launchbury
5. Shields
6. Curry
7. Robshaw
8. Simmonds
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