Chiefs trio in England squad

By Mark Stevens
17/10/22

Three Exeter Chiefs players have been named in Eddie Jones’ England squad who will continue their preparations for their four home Autumn Nations Series matches.

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell and Sam Simmonds are included in the 36-player squad will meet on Monday for a five-day training camp in Jersey. They will then return to the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot ahead of their first game against Argentina (Sunday, November, 2.15pm KO).

There is a first call-up for Harlequins’ Cadan Murley, with the wing having previously represented England at U18 and U20s level. Elsewhere Max Malins, Raffi Quirke, Val Rapava Ruskin and Kyle Sinckler return to the squad.

Owen Farrell (97) and Courtney Lawes (96) could both reach a century of caps for England during the Autumn Nations Series.

After their Argentina opener, England will then host Japan on Saturday 12 November (3.15pm KO) – the fixtures mirror England’s opening two games at next year’s Rugby World Cup.

They will then take on New Zealand on Saturday 19 November (5.30pm KO) and lastly world champions South Africa on Saturday 26 November (5.30pm KO).

Jones said: “This is a very strong, vibrant squad and a number of good players have been left out. We are pleased with the depth and the strength of the squad. The autumn internationals will be like a mini Rugby World Cup for us, starting with two tough games against Argentina and Japan which mirrors our Pool fixtures at next year’s tournament.

“Then we’ll have knock out type games against New Zealand and South Africa – all four games will be great tests for us.

“In Jersey we’ll start the week with Misogi activity where the players will find out about themselves and each other. Then we’ll rip into training for the rest of the week, so the team can come together on and off the pitch.

“We’re very pleased to be going back to Jersey and to a good Championship club in Jersey Reds who are very supportive of us and of the local rugby community. We’ve been made to feel very welcome there and look forward to our return.”

Elsewhere, Danny Kerry MBE has joined the England staff as training coordinator. Kerry previously spent 17 years at Great Britain Hockey, where he was the most successful coach in their history – including leading Team GB’s women’s field hockey to a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Joe Lewis will move to a full-time senior analyst role, working closely with forwards coaches Richard Cockerill and Matt Proudfoot.

Jones said: “I’ve known Danny for a long time and his depth and breadth of coaching knowledge will be a real asset to us as staff as we work towards becoming the best coaching team in the world. Joe will move back to an analyst role where he has a real impact and suits his strengths and skills.”

ENGLAND SQUAD

FORWARDS

Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 39 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 15 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 58 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 52 caps)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
Hugh Tizard (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 64 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 70 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 4 caps)

BACKS

Henry Arundell (London Irish, 3 caps)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 97 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Will Joseph (London Irish, 1 cap)
Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 42 caps)
Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 13 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 46 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 117 caps)