England Training Squad - Now Featuring Both New and Old Messiahs

[Mikey Brown]

England then travel to Australia to face the Wallabies in Perth (Saturday 2 July, 11.05am BST KO), Brisbane (Saturday 9 July, 11.05am BST KO) and Sydney (Saturday 16 July, 11.05am BST KO). All matches will be live on Sky Sports.

FULL SQUAD

FORWARDS
Will Goodrick-Clarke (London Irish, uncapped)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
Patrick Schickerling (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Biyi Alo (Wasps, uncapped)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
Freddie Clarke (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)
Sam Jeffries (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 40 caps)
Tom Pearson (London Irish, uncapped)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 3 caps)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped)

BACKS
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
Dan Robson (Wasps, 14 caps)
Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Charlie Atkinson (Wasps, uncapped)
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Will Joseph (London Irish, uncapped)
Paolo Odogwu (Wasps, uncapped)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps)
Tom Parton (London Irish, uncapped)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Henry Arundell (London Irish, uncapped)

[Gloskarlos]

unpopular as it would be I can't really see why Ruan would not be in that list too. Luds also but Eddie has clearly seen enough there. Thorley has been great but only really for the last half dozen games or so, he is certainly finding his mojo again though which is fantastic to see.

Quite the mixed squad in general. Dan Robson again? really?

[Puja]

Some weird as shit names in there. I get that it's hard to name a squad without anyone from Leicester, Saracens, Quins, and Northampton, but Patrick Schickerling*?! Sam Jeffries? Will Goodrick-Clarke?

It's mostly meaningless anyway, given the missing players, but there are some players in there who would never have expected to trouble England and probably never will again (mind, I said that about Trevor Davidson and he's turned up again like a bad penny). Baffled that there's not even a consideration of TWillis or BCurry, considering we're going deep enough to call up Sam Jeffries. (ETA. Or Ludlow, as Gloskarlos mentioned. Gone from inexplicable captain to completely unneeded in the space of a season).

It is nice to see Alo and Clarke get recognised though. I don't think they'll go any higher than this, but they've both really kicked on this season and it's good for them to get this reward. Also good to see THill given the chance to impress Eddie again - opportunity for him to show off how much he's grown and hopefully keep his place next week when two more teams' worth of EPS players are added, the same way Ludlam did in 2019.

Puja


*Anyone know how he's qualified? Doesn't look as though he's been in the country long enough for residency.

[FKAS]

Sam Jeffries, really?

Puja, Goodrick-Clark I quite like. He's big and throws his weight around but he's also pretty reliable at scrum time. Might be more good player than international in terms of quality but deserves a go after a good season at LI.

No Fin Smith is a concern with the SRU rumoured to be circling. He's got masses of potential and I'd suggest capping him this summer is as important as getting Arundell capped.

Balmain must be gutted to miss out to Shickerling. I know which of the two I'd select if it was me. Apparently he's been at Exeter since 2018 and he is younger at 23 which I suspect answers some of the questions.

[Peej]

No Tom Willis is just daft. The evidence of his quality is there in the stats.

[Mellsblue]

Yep. No Tom Willis is good old fashioned Eddie Jones puzzler. Any chance he’s having a minor op over the summer to clear up a niggle?

[Puja]

Sam Jeffries, really?

Puja, Goodrick-Clark I quite like. He's big and throws his weight around but he's also pretty reliable at scrum time. Might be more good player than international in terms of quality but deserves a go after a good season at LI.

No Fin Smith is a concern with the SRU rumoured to be circling. He's got masses of potential and I'd suggest capping him this summer is as important as getting Arundell capped.

Balmain must be gutted to miss out to Shickerling. I know which of the two I'd select if it was me. Apparently he's been at Exeter since 2018 and he is younger at 23 which I suspect answers some of the questions.

Oooh, yeah, I'd missed no Fin Smith. He's a better prospect than Atkinson, and probably Bailey right now. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been felt out by England, but decided he'd be better accepting a Scotland call-up - can't blame him, given the paucity of decent Scots 10s below Russell.

Puja

[Raggs]

I know I'm a Wasps supporter, but Atkinson really impresses me. He reminds me of a more skillful Farrell of similar age. He plays to the line better than Farrell did, very solid in defence, happy to carry too, extremely solid under the high ball. I wonder if like Bailey, he's being looked at by Eddie as a potential 10/12 hybrid.

If we're honest, neither Fin Smith nor Atkinson are likely to be in the RWC squad. So it's a gamble on which to use here.

In terms of scrum half, we have Youngs, Randall, Mitchell and Quirke. Robson is our next most experienced scrum half after Youngs (in terms of time in camp, if not caps). He's not there because he's making the RWC (unless his form really picks up), he's there because he's an experienced head to help give the youngsters around him the best chance of settling into England structures, and the next in line for the scrum half position simply isn't making the rwc unless they turn into Dupont. I'd imagine Ewels is there for the same reason.

[Banyans]

Robson is in I reckon to partner Charlie Atkinson if he gets a run out. Club combinations and all that...

Tom Willis must be feeling hard done by. Best backrow at wasps all season.

[fivepointer]

Val R-R is obviously going to play for Georgia. Otherwise he would surely have been picked?

Schickerling is a bit of a punt but he does have something about him. Very lively in the loose and not the worlds worst scrummager.

Jefferies has been quietly and consistently good for Bristol. He's athletic, mobile, good in the line out and has a real turn of pace. I think Harding is injured otherwise he may have got the nod.

I rate C Atkinson and pleased to see him included.

Robinson's red card on Saturday has probably done for his chances.

Some good calls and the inevitable wtf one's too but given the constraints this isnt a bad squad with the Barbarians in mind.

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Agree with most of what’s already been said.

Tighthead is really lacking depth so not overly surprised to see new faces - particularly given Sinckler, Heyes, Collier and Hil/Painter are not available (I’m not saying all of those are legit options right now but Eddie has picked all of them in the past). I’m pleased for Alo after a huge improvement from him and Schickerling is an interesting pick. I also don’t see how he qualifies on residency yet but perhaps it doesn’t matter if it’s a non-cap fixture?

Re. Fin Smith, it’s worth pointing out his grandad, Tom Elliot is not only Scottish, but a former Scotland international and B&I Lion. I’d much rather he stayed English but the Scots link is a pretty compelling one.

[Beasties]

Robson is in I reckon to partner Charlie Atkinson if he gets a run out. Club combinations and all that...

Tom Willis must be feeling hard done by. Best backrow at wasps all season.

No Tom Willis is just plain bark at the moon mental, even for Eddie. Maybe he’s trying to make it less awks for Barbeary by not having Wasps’ best no8 there?

[FKAS]

Re. Fin Smith, it’s worth pointing out his grandad, Tom Elliot is not only Scottish, but a former Scotland international and B&I Lion. I’d much rather he stayed English but the Scots link is a pretty compelling one.

Yeah he's got a good link to Scotland through his grandfather who died before he was born. Smith has been born and raised in the West Midlands. You'd hope the RFU and Eddie have had the sense to at least talk to him and ensure him he's in their plans, he damn well should be in their plans.

Re Bailey and Atkinson. I like both they are talented and both can drop back and cover 15 which always helps, might develop into inside centre alternatives as well. I'm not seeing either hit the Marcus Smith level though, Fin Smith on the other hand I could see as a world beater of he develops to his full potential.

[Oakboy]

Believe it or not, at times like this, I have some sympathy for Jones. It is an absolute nonsense to have an international match (even a cocktails-and-bullshit Barbarians jaunt) when the play-offs are not out of the way. Why cant English rugby emerge fully into the light of professionalsm? We should want to compete on the international stage with every possible advantage, not have to climb over hurdles of our own making.

[Mikey Brown]

Believe it or not, at times like this, I have some sympathy for Jones. It is an absolute nonsense to have an international match (even a cocktails-and-bullshit Barbarians jaunt) when the play-offs are not out of the way. Why cant English rugby emerge fully into the light of professionalsm? We should want to compete on the international stage with every possible advantage, not have to climb over hurdles of our own making.

Yeah, I'm less and less interested in this game every year. I love the idea of being able to look at some alternatives, but it often feels like nobody is able to truly prove themselves in a side so far from the first XV.

[FKAS]

Believe it or not, at times like this, I have some sympathy for Jones. It is an absolute nonsense to have an international match (even a cocktails-and-bullshit Barbarians jaunt) when the play-offs are not out of the way. Why cant English rugby emerge fully into the light of professionalsm? We should want to compete on the international stage with every possible advantage, not have to climb over hurdles of our own making.

HQ is already set up for the final so it's just a quick clean and go again with this game again filling the stadium for a second successive day. RFU are quids in. It's not about the rugby, it's about the money.

[Puja]

Believe it or not, at times like this, I have some sympathy for Jones. It is an absolute nonsense to have an international match (even a cocktails-and-bullshit Barbarians jaunt) when the play-offs are not out of the way. Why cant English rugby emerge fully into the light of professionalsm? We should want to compete on the international stage with every possible advantage, not have to climb over hurdles of our own making.

HQ is already set up for the final so it's just a quick clean and go again with this game again filling the stadium for a second successive day. RFU are quids in. It's not about the rugby, it's about the money.

And it's a fun day for the sport as a whole - England getting the chance to play devil-may-care rugby, players who wouldn't normally be in the mix getting a chance to be in an England shirt, tickets available to the public at large. If it was on terrestrial, it would be utterly perfect.

The current problem, to my mind, is Eddie's insistence on treating it as a serious game that's part of the summer tour. Barbarians should be an individual squad, with some players overlapping in both, but not being treated as the first XV minus the playoff final players. It should be a mix of young up and comers, fringe players who might want to prove a point, players who need a run-out, and some players who might never play for England but deserve a day in the sun - your Freddie Clarkes and Biyi Alos.

We should be picking something like (assuming Leicester vs Saracens final):

Marler
Blamire
Alo
Clarke
JHill
Hill
Ludlam
Barbeary

Mitchell
Smith/Bailey
May
Atkinson
Freeman
Cokanasiga
Arundell

Not the England 1st XV minus the final players that we're likely to get.

Puja

[Tigersman]

Re. Fin Smith, it’s worth pointing out his grandad, Tom Elliot is not only Scottish, but a former Scotland international and B&I Lion. I’d much rather he stayed English but the Scots link is a pretty compelling one.

Yeah he's got a good link to Scotland through his grandfather who died before he was born. Smith has been born and raised in the West Midlands. You'd hope the RFU and Eddie have had the sense to at least talk to him and ensure him he's in their plans, he damn well should be in their plans.

Re Bailey and Atkinson. I like both they are talented and both can drop back and cover 15 which always helps, might develop into inside centre alternatives as well. I'm not seeing either hit the Marcus Smith level though, Fin Smith on the other hand I could see as a world beater of he develops to his full potential.

What plans? It's clear the RFU want to go full in on Marcus.
You say to Fin hey we want you be a Hodgson for us please thank you

[FKAS]

Re. Fin Smith, it’s worth pointing out his grandad, Tom Elliot is not only Scottish, but a former Scotland international and B&I Lion. I’d much rather he stayed English but the Scots link is a pretty compelling one.

Yeah he's got a good link to Scotland through his grandfather who died before he was born. Smith has been born and raised in the West Midlands. You'd hope the RFU and Eddie have had the sense to at least talk to him and ensure him he's in their plans, he damn well should be in their plans.

Re Bailey and Atkinson. I like both they are talented and both can drop back and cover 15 which always helps, might develop into inside centre alternatives as well. I'm not seeing either hit the Marcus Smith level though, Fin Smith on the other hand I could see as a world beater of he develops to his full potential.

What plans? It's clear the RFU want to go full in on Marcus.
You say to Fin hey we want you be a Hodgson for us please thank you

I was thinking more, "after the world cup we're going to be looking at younger options as Owen and George won't make the next one. You are one of the players we have identified that we would want to develop to contest the shirt with Marcus".

Otherwise Scotland will be spinning him the line of replacing Russell and we might loose out on a flyhalf that could potentially be better than the current one.

[FKAS]

Believe it or not, at times like this, I have some sympathy for Jones. It is an absolute nonsense to have an international match (even a cocktails-and-bullshit Barbarians jaunt) when the play-offs are not out of the way. Why cant English rugby emerge fully into the light of professionalsm? We should want to compete on the international stage with every possible advantage, not have to climb over hurdles of our own making.

HQ is already set up for the final so it's just a quick clean and go again with this game again filling the stadium for a second successive day. RFU are quids in. It's not about the rugby, it's about the money.

And it's a fun day for the sport as a whole - England getting the chance to play devil-may-care rugby, players who wouldn't normally be in the mix getting a chance to be in an England shirt, tickets available to the public at large. If it was on terrestrial, it would be utterly perfect.

The current problem, to my mind, is Eddie's insistence on treating it as a serious game that's part of the summer tour.
Puja

Agree about having it on free to air TV, that would help make the England team more accessible instead of only seen at the 6N.

Doesn't Eddie normally palm the coaching of the Baabaas squad off on to someone else? The Covid effected ones were different I know. My memory is suggesting he let Mallinder take the reigns for at least one.

[Puja]

HQ is already set up for the final so it's just a quick clean and go again with this game again filling the stadium for a second successive day. RFU are quids in. It's not about the rugby, it's about the money.

And it's a fun day for the sport as a whole - England getting the chance to play devil-may-care rugby, players who wouldn't normally be in the mix getting a chance to be in an England shirt, tickets available to the public at large. If it was on terrestrial, it would be utterly perfect.

The current problem, to my mind, is Eddie's insistence on treating it as a serious game that's part of the summer tour.
Puja

Agree about having it on free to air TV, that would help make the England team more accessible instead of only seen at the 6N.

Doesn't Eddie normally palm the coaching of the Baabaas squad off on to someone else? The Covid effected ones were different I know. My memory is suggesting he let Mallinder take the reigns for at least one.

He stopped doing that back in 2018 and started treating it like an extra test. Very disappointing.

Puja

[FKAS]

And it's a fun day for the sport as a whole - England getting the chance to play devil-may-care rugby, players who wouldn't normally be in the mix getting a chance to be in an England shirt, tickets available to the public at large. If it was on terrestrial, it would be utterly perfect.

The current problem, to my mind, is Eddie's insistence on treating it as a serious game that's part of the summer tour.
Puja

Agree about having it on free to air TV, that would help make the England team more accessible instead of only seen at the 6N.

Doesn't Eddie normally palm the coaching of the Baabaas squad off on to someone else? The Covid effected ones were different I know. My memory is suggesting he let Mallinder take the reigns for at least one.

He stopped doing that back in 2018 and started treating it like an extra test. Very disappointing.

Puja

I can understand that what with the world cup and then the two years of Covid, well one year as last year got cancelled. Hopefully he passes it off to somebody else this year.

[Banquo]

Believe it or not, at times like this, I have some sympathy for Jones. It is an absolute nonsense to have an international match (even a cocktails-and-bullshit Barbarians jaunt) when the play-offs are not out of the way. Why cant English rugby emerge fully into the light of professionalsm? We should want to compete on the international stage with every possible advantage, not have to climb over hurdles of our own making.

HQ is already set up for the final so it's just a quick clean and go again with this game again filling the stadium for a second successive day. RFU are quids in. It's not about the rugby, it's about the money.

And it's a fun day for the sport as a whole - England getting the chance to play devil-may-care rugby, players who wouldn't normally be in the mix getting a chance to be in an England shirt, tickets available to the public at large. If it was on terrestrial, it would be utterly perfect.

The current problem, to my mind, is Eddie's insistence on treating it as a serious game that's part of the summer tour. Barbarians should be an individual squad, with some players overlapping in both, but not being treated as the first XV minus the playoff final players. It should be a mix of young up and comers, fringe players who might want to prove a point, players who need a run-out, and some players who might never play for England but deserve a day in the sun - your Freddie Clarkes and Biyi Alos.

We should be picking something like (assuming Leicester vs Saracens final):

Marler
Blamire
Alo
Clarke
JHill
Hill
Ludlam
Barbeary

Mitchell
Smith/Bailey
May
Atkinson
Freeman
Cokanasiga
Arundell

Not the England 1st XV minus the final players that we're likely to get.

Puja

Not sure Freeman would be thanking you for that tbh.

[Puja]

Not sure Freeman would be thanking you for that tbh.

I'll be honest, I was trying to juggle wanting to get minutes into May after injury, Cokanasiga to play him in a side that's Not Bath, Arundell because he's young and exciting and would love a Barbarians game, and Freeman because I like the look of him. Given Eddie's talked up him playing at 13, I thought that was an opportunity to trial him and see if it worked.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Yep. Agree with most of what’s already been said.

Tighthead is really lacking depth so not overly surprised to see new faces - particularly given Sinckler, Heyes, Collier and Hil/Painter are not available (I’m not saying all of those are legit options right now but Eddie has picked all of them in the past). I’m pleased for Alo after a huge improvement from him and Schickerling is an interesting pick. I also don’t see how he qualifies on residency yet but perhaps it doesn’t matter if it’s a non-cap fixture?

Re. Fin Smith, it’s worth pointing out his grandad, Tom Elliot is not only Scottish, but a former Scotland international and B&I Lion. I’d much rather he stayed English but the Scots link is a pretty compelling one.

A bit confused here. According to this wiki entry, Fin Smith's grandad was the great Scotland wing and 1962 Lions captain, Arthur Smith :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Sm ... gby_union)

Maybe he had two grandads who played for Scotland? (Tom Elliot was a prop.)