The England squad for the upcoming autumn internationals has been named with eight uncapped players being called-up by Eddie Jones. Another significant move made by Eddie Jones for the autumn tests has been to name Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell as co-captains. Jones rejected the idea returning Hartley to the position of sole captain which he filled previously to the summer tour of South Africa that he was forced to sit-out through injury. This signals a refocus of the England management's thoughts towards next year's Rugby world cup at which Farrell can expect more game time than veteran hooker Hartley.
Who have found their way into the squad
Gloucester number eight, Ben Morgan, has made his way back into the England squad after a prolonged period of not being picked. Morgan last played for England in 2015 during the pool stages of the World Cup, but he has been able to take advantage of the spate of injuries suffered by England's back row players, in order to make his way into the squad. So severe are the depth of injuries plaguing England's back row that the only other number eight included in the squad is 21-year-old Zach Mercer. Mercer has impressed at the domestic level with his club Bath and also led England Under-20's to their world championship final in 2017.
Chris Ashton's name was a surprising inclusion in Eddie Jones' team considering that he is yet to make his season's debut for his club Sale after being banned for seven weeks due to making a dangerous tackle in a preseason game.
At 31, Ashton is a proven talent at the international level but last donned an England shirt in 2014 after falling out of favour with then England coach Stuart Lancaster.
Michael Rhodes is another uncapped forward to be included in the autumn international squad. Rhodes has been a critical player for the reigning Premiership champions, Saracens, at the game's domestic level.
However, he has only just been made available for England selection as a South African born player who has now plied his trade for the required number of years in England.
Who has missed out?
Danny Cipriani, the Gloucester playmaker, has been left out of the squad with Owen Farrell, George Ford and Saracens' utility back Alex Lozowski being chosen in front of him.
While Cipriani impressed during England's summer tour in South Africa; the preseason saw him return to his previously ill-disciplined ways as he was arrested for a fracas at a Jersey nightclub.
England's fearsome number eight, Billy Vunipola, will miss the entire autumn international series after suffering a broken arm which will leave him on the sidelines for a total of 12 weeks. Nathan Hughes who would have expected to fill Vunipola's shoes in his absence is also unavailable due to being served a six-week suspension for punching an opponent. Another stalwart forwards missing from Jones' pack are flanker Chris Robshaw, lock Joe Launchbury and prop Mako Vunipola all of whom have proven their prowess as British and Irish Lions in the past.
In the backs, the rapid Bath duo of Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph remain sidelined by injuries while Ben Te'o is only expected to make his return to the game this weekend so will come into the series slightly underprepared.
