Dylan Hartley left out of Eddie Jones’ squad for England’s Six Nations opener
Eddie Jones announced England's squad at a press conference at Twickenham today
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Your support makes all the difference.England’s co-captain, Dylan Hartley, has been left out of Eddie Jones’ squad for England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 2.
The Northampton hooker has been strugglig with a knee injury and has not featured for his club for four weeks.
Four uncapped players - Ben Earl, Jack Singleton, Dan Robson and Ollie Thorley – have been called into the the 35-man squad, while prop Dan Cole has also been recalled.
Mako and Billy Vunipola and Joe Launchbury are all fit to be included, but Chris Robshaw and Jordan Joseph remain injury absentees.
England’s squad to face Ireland:
Forwards: Jack Clifford, Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson
Backs: Chris Ashton, Mike Brown, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Ollie Thorley, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs
Relive Eddie Jones’ press conference below.
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On Dylan Hartley's injury:
"We've taken the completeyly different approach to camp this time. We're specifically focussing on the Ireland game, so we're only looking at players for the Ireland game.
"Dylan won't be available for the Ireland game, maybe for Wales. Same with Robshaw, we're not taking him for the same reasons to let him rehad properly. He could be earlier though."
No Danny Care:
"It was a tough decisions. We've got all these players available for selection which is great. Danny's been playing great for his club but we always wanted to take a look at Dan Robson. We wanted to in November but unfortunately he got injured, and one reason is we only take two scrum-halves is because of the Portugal training camp."
Take two or three scrum-halves to the World Cup?
"We'll worry about that then. We're worried about Ireland now."
Dan Cole returns?
"He's always been a good scrummager but we asked him to go away and improve his defence and his attack, and he's done that. This is now a great opportunity for him to show he's the best tighthead prop in England."
Strongest squad for a Six Nations?
"At the moment yes, but we've still got a round to go. We're in a good position and it's a World Cup year, that's always in the back of your mind but we're focussed on beating Ireland and we're determined to beat Ireland."
Expect them to beat Ireland?
"I don't expect them to beat Ireland, I prepare them to beat Ireland."
On Ireland:
"They're well coached, their one of the best, they play very methodical rugby."
On his players:
"To beat the best team in the world, which is Ireland, we need players chomping at the bit."
Knowing his best 15?
"I've got a pretty good idea, a very good idea."
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