Eddie Jones is continuing to receive yet more bad news with players from his May training squad becoming unavailable for the autumn tests after injuries, the BBC reported. Additionally, there are disciplinary motions they have sustained during the first block of games in the domestic season. News of players from his provisional training squad, which he announced earlier in the year, dropping out of contention for the upcoming international games will likely create more tension between the RFU and domestic clubs. The two parties have long disagreed over how England players' game time should be handled in the Gallagher Premiership.
A roll-call of unavailable players
Billy Vunipola has suffered a fracture to his left arm after only recently returning to action for his club, Saracens. He has been ruled out of playing for 12 weeks and will need surgery during that time. This latest blow to the internationally renowned player comes only a couple of weeks after coming back from breaking his right arm during England's summer tour of South Africa.
The Sale and England winger, Marland Yarde, who was picked in Eddie Jones' training squad in May, has been ruled out of playing any more Rugby for club or country for the rest of the season. Yarde sustained a dislocated knee and ruptured ligaments during Sale's win over Newcastle in the Premiership this Saturday.
Whilst the quick-footed winger had not played for England since June 2017, Eddie Jones had figured him into his plans for the upcoming autumn internationals which are set to commence on 3rd November.
Yarde's clubmate and fellow winger, Chris Ashton, has not yet made his return to English Premiership rugby as he is still suspended after being sent-off during a pre-season game.
Many suspected that Ashton could feature in the upcoming autumn tests, so his absence is yet another blow to Eddie Jones' plans.
England and Wasps flanker Nathan Hughes' availability for the autumn Test series is uncertain as his scheduled disciplinary hearing was postponed on Wednesday evening after Hughes tweeted midway through and labelled the process a 'joke'.
Hughes is facing potential punishment after punching Gloucester player Lewis Ludlow during Wasps' loss to Gloucester on Saturday. An ugly fracas occurred whilst Ludlow was on top of Hughes during the last minute of the Premiership encounter.Hughes will remain suspended until another hearing can be scheduled, which should be within the next seven days.
Joe Marler's stark statement about playing with England
England and Harlequins veteran Joe Marler announced recently that he was taking an early retirement from international rugby with immediate effect, according to the Telegraph. The prop, who has become widely known for his on-pitch misdemeanours has stated that he never felt that he 'belonged with England'. Marler's outspoken departure from the international game is a PR blow for the RFU. Eddie Jones and the England squad as a whole will miss his experience and talent in the scrum.
