The Eddie Jones decision that has baffled England fans the most
By Rugby Onslaught

The Eddie Jones decision that has baffled England fans the most

Eddie Jones announced his 34-man England squad for the upcoming autumn internationals and it is fair to say that Saracens are the biggest losers.

Jamie George, the Vunipola brothers and Ben Earl all miss out on the squad, despite George and Mako touring with the British & Irish Lions this summer. The prop even played in all three Tests against the Springboks.

Judging from the reaction online from England fans, George seems to be the unluckiest of all the omissions. Of course, like many of his Saracens teammates, he may have suffered from a dip in form after a season in the Championship last year, but many players from the London club look rejuvenated this season, particularly Billy.

Jones has instead opted for Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie Blamire and Nic Dolly as his hookers, meaning there is no room for the 62-cap and two-time Lions tourist George in his squad, who at the age of 30 could easily make the 2023 World Cup. But for now, England’s head coach is focussing primarily on youth, and may return to his more experienced players as he draws closer to to 2023. Having said that, an ankle injury to Cowan-Dickie sustained at the weekend against Wasps may offer George a reprieve.

Meanwhile, this is actually good news for Saracens, as they will have a mightily strong squad throughout November.

This is what has been said:

England Squad

Forwards
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 33 caps)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)
Nic Dolly (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 1 cap)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 48 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 87 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 72 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)

Backs
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
Max Malins (Saracens, 8 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 66 caps)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 40 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 51 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps)

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