The one England omission that could have major consequences
As is the case with every squad announcement, there are always many players that are unlucky to miss out, and this latest England squad is no exception.
Eddie Jones announced his 34-man squad that will take on Tonga, Australia and South Africa in November, and some big names have missed out. But while many players will hope to break into Jones’ squad come the Six Nations, Harlequins’ Louis Lynagh could follow a completely different path.
The 20-year-old winger was part of the wider England squad earlier this season, but has now been overlooked despite his sensational try-scoring form, in which he tops the Gallagher Premiership try scoring charts alongside fellow England call-up Nic Dolly. But as he is the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, he has other options.
Being uncapped, Lynagh is a viable option for Australia, and even qualifies for Italy. With increasing exemptions being made with the Giteau Law in Australia, Lynagh could receive a call from Dave Rennie very soon.
Jones has recently spoken to Lynagh, and told him that he was very close to this England squad, but no one knows what the winger will decide if other teams come sniffing.
This has happened before with England during Jones’ tenure. Welsh duo Callum Sheedy and Johnny Williams, as well as Scotland’s Cameron Redpath, have all been in England camps before, with the Wales internationals even representing England against the Barbarians. Likewise, their compatriot Nick Tompkins played for England Saxons in the pre-Jones era. This is not a new occurrence, but it could be another annoying case of ‘the one that got away’ for some England fans.
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)
