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As it happenedended

Eddie Jones names squad for the autumn internationals

Everything Jones said in his press conference

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 18 October 2018 03:49 EDT
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(Reuters)

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Danny Cipriani has been overlooked for England's autumn series squad to put a significant dent in his hopes of being involved in the 2019 World Cup

Cipriani has made a strong start to the season at Gloucester and was named Gallagher Premiership player of the month for September, yet is missing from the 36-man group named for Tests against South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.

The 30-year-old playmaker started England's most recent game against South Africa in June and set-up the pivotal try for Jonny May but having been watched by Eddie Jones four times this season, he has been left out.

Owen Farrell and George Ford are present as the recognised fly-halves, although Henry Slade and Alex Lozowski provide cover in the position.

Here's everything Jones said when explaining his selection:

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

Jones on the squad:

"Well I think for the last 12 months it's been very challenging. Since the LIons tour it's been quite continuous so we're getting quite good at this"

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:00

On his injury problems:

"We've lost 320 caps of which 80 per cent of that is in the forwards, so we've got a bit of a hole there that we'll have to fill."

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:01

On who England will miss most:

"Well there's three key players in Billy, Mako and Joe Launchbury that are key players that we'll miss."

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:01

On Ben Morgan:

We've brought in Ben Morgan who I think is playing increasingly well under Johan Ackerman, and we've got Zach Mercer too.

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:02

On Manu Tuilagi:

"He's a bit like Zach, every game he gets a little bit better, a little bit stronger."

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:02

On Danny Cipriani:

"It's hard on him but we've got Owen and George and that's enough for us."

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:03

On the co-captaincy:

"To me it almost became a no-brainer. Having watched Dylan captain the side for so many tests and then watching Owen on the South Africa tour, the two are just so impressive.

"Dylan will llok after certain things on the field and Owen will look after certain things."

"Another thing was the media. The England captaincy is huge in the English media."

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:04

On who will lead out the team:

"They'll hold hands as they run out together"

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:05

On Cipriani:

"The same things, there's areas of his game that he needs to work on and he needs to go away and work on it.

"Everyone's still a World Cup possible."

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:05

That's it from Eddie Jones!

Jack de Menezes18 October 2018 10:05

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