Slade named in England squad

By Mark Stevens
26/10/16

Exeter Chiefs back Henry Slade has today been named in Eddie Jones'33-man England squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

Slade, who was part of England's successful summer tour to Australia, is the sole representative from the Chiefs as both Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell have been ruled out through injury.

The England squad will fly to Portugal on Sunday for a week of specific training before returning to England’s base at Pennyhill Park to prepare for the opening game against South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 12 November (kick off 2.30pm, live on Sky Sports).

With 10 players unavailable through injury, Jones has named six uncapped players in the squad. Tight-head prop Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) joins back-row forward Nathan Hughes (Wasps) and second-row Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby) in the forwards. Wing Mike Haley (Sale Sharks), fly–half Alex Lozowski (Saracens) and centre Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) are included in the backs.

After recovering from a lengthy injury, wing Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) returns to the England set-up, as do back-row forwards Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) and second-row Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby).

“With a number of influential players missing through injury we have two weeks to prepare a robust and resilient team to meet the challenges set for us in the Old Mutual Wealth Series.” said England head coach Jones.

“Our training camp in Portugal is a great opportunity to spend a week together, focus on putting our game plans in place and for new players to understand the England way.

“We’re looking forward to being back in front of a passionate Twickenham crowd and I’m confident we can prepare well and put together a matchday 23 which is full of pride, energy and commitment to give South Africa the game of their lives.”

England squad for Old Mutual Wealth Series

Forwards

Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for George Kruis (Saracens)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints) *injury replacement for James Haskell (Wasps)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby) *injury replacement for Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Tommy Taylor (Wasps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) *injury replacement for Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers)

Backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins) *injury replacement for Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Injured players not considered for selection:

Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Sam Jones (Wasps)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers)