On Sunday afternoon Eddie Jones announced a 26-man training squad for a three-day training camp at Brighton College from 17-19 May. With Saracens’, Exeter Chiefs’, Wasps’ and Leicester Tigers’ players all out of contention due to their respective Premiership semi-finals it gives others a chance for some quality airtime with England’s head coach and management team and us a further insight into Eddie Jones’ thinking.
The training squad contains eight uncapped players; Charlie Ewels, Teimana Harrison, Kyle Sinckler, Tommy Taylor, Ollie Devoto, Mike Haley, Alex Lewington and Michael Young. Alongside those players are some more familiar names, the likes of Chris Robshaw, Joe Marler, George Ford and England captain Dylan Hartley. Eddie Jones was very clearn on what he wants from the 26 when he spoke with England Rugby TV;
‘We know that we are going to have to increase the intensity of our efforts. Test matches against Wales and Australia have higher running intensity, higher collision rates and we need to prepare for that. Then there are guys who are going to be competing for the last few spots on tour so it’s an important camp for them.’
Three days isn’t a long time but it’s long enough for players to make their mark and impress England’s management. All will know that quality time spent training in front of the men at the helm of our International side is vital at any point of the year and this camp represents a great opportunity. Of the 26 some will be making first impressions while others will be looking to show that they are ready for the level of intensity that Eddie Jones, and the forthcoming international schedule, is asking for from them.
Personally, when I read through the list I feel a huge amount of positivity and excitement regarding English rugby and the depth of talent that we house. From day one Eddie Jones has been very clear that it’s the talent within this country that meant that he jumped to take the head coach role and this training squad shows that.
Let’s take the second-row as an example of the strength in depth shall we? While George Kruis, Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury are all still in domestic action England have a wealth of talent within this training squad. First, the ever abrasive and physical Dave Attwood who has bounced back quickly from an unfortunately timed injury spell. Next, a man that puts the fear of god into opposition's fly-halves because he can hit people for six and in the past has been England’s first-choice, Courtney Lawes. Finally the former England U20s captain Charlie Ewels has taken his opportunities well this season and had a productive twenty two rounds. The depth of talent is clear and the second-row is not the exception to the rule, it’s like this across the park.
The Old Mutual Wealth Cup between England and Wales may not be a formal Summer Test but it will be far from a 'friendly' encounter. Warren Gatland is naming a squad at 11am on Tuesday [10th] and Wales will have the bit between their teeth after their defeat in the RBS 6 Nations. The England players selected know that they’ve got places on the plane to Australia to hold onto, or to take from others, because under Eddie Jones no-one is guaranteed a spot.
The long and the short of this squad announcement is that it showcases, once again, that England are in a good place. The 26 players named have a great opportunity to impress Eddie Jones, Steve Borthwick, Neal Hatley and Paul Gustard while others are still hard at work for their domestic clubs.
England Rugby Training Squad - Brighton Camp [17-19 May]
Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints) Jack Clifford (Harlequins) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints) Paul Hill (Northampton Saints) Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks)
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins) Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints) Danny Care (Harlequins) Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks) Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) Mike Haley (Sale Sharks) Alex Lewington (London Irish) Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) Marland Yarde (Harlequins) Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)
