Danny Cipriani and eight uncapped players including Brad Shields named in England squad to tour South Africa
Danny Cipriani has been recalled to the England squad to tour South Africa next month three years after his last appearance, while New Zealand-based back rower Brad Shields was also included for the three-Test tour.
Coach Eddie Jones released his squad on Thursday that featured eight uncapped players as well as Shields, after he was released by the New Zealand rugby union overnight.
Ben Earl (Saracens), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Ben Spencer (Saracens), 18-year-old Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) and Jack Willis (Wasps) were all given their chance in the face of a series of absentees.
Cipriani is the headline name, forcing his way back into contention after a great season for Wasps. He won his first cap in 2008 but has won only 14 in all since then, with his last start also coming 10 years ago.
A succession of England coaches have declined to include him, deterred by his reputation for individualism, but Jones has given him a final lifeline.
Brilliantly talented but also too often disruptive, the 30-year-old is leaving Wasps at the end of the season and is currently without a club.
He will travel as third-choice flyhalf behind George Ford and Owen Farrell, who captains the squad in the absence of the injured Dylan Hartley, though Cipriani could also feature at fullback.
"I've watched him play closely and he's done some things I've asked him to do in matches and deserves the opportunity," said Jones, who has picked him for the first time.
"He's got to prove he's the best 10 or best 15 in the squad."
Billy Vunipola (Saracens) is recalled after recovering from injury, having last played for England in the 2017 Six Nations. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) - a year after last featuring for England in the two Test series in Argentina - is also included.
Danny Care (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (Wasps) and Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) have been rested for the tour.
Jones denied that Shields' selection reflected badly on the England pathway system which is designed to promote the best young English talent. "That is not my responsibility, it is to pick the best English-qualified players," said Jones.
New-Zealand born Shields qualifies through his parents, both of whom come from England.
"He's a good hard working player, he plays for best team in southern hemisphere and is a considerable influence in their team. He's a gritty player, a great back up to Chris Robshaw for us."
Jones also confirmed that Australian Scott Wisemantel will join the coaching staff for the tour as an attack consultant.
England, coming off the back of three successive Six Nations defeats, will play South Africa in three Tests in Johannesburg (June 9), Bloemfontein (June 16) and Cape Town (June 23).
"Our tour to South Africa will be the most exciting challenge for us as a group since 2016," Jones said. "We have an opportunity to create some history next month and win the Test series, something no England side has done before."
PA
England squad to tour South Africa
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Saracens) *, Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *, Dan Robson (Wasps) *, Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens) *, Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens) *, Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *, Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens) , Joe Launchbury (Wasps), , Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/ Wasps) *, Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Willis (Wasps) *, Mark Wilson (Newcastle).
* uncapped
Young guns
Ollie Lawrence of Worcester Warriors Academy named in England’s Brighton Camp for next week. Both he and Cam Redpath barely out of school. Sedbergh and Bromsgrove respectively.
— Sam Roberts (@samrobertsrugby) May 10, 2018
Danny Cipriani returns
England's new boys
We've spoken to plenty of them over the course of the season.
Series fixtures
Johannesburg, June 9
Bloemfontein, June 16
Cape Town, June 23
All matches kick off at 4.05pm
Who is Cameron Redpath?
Well, let his father tell you in this interview with my colleague Dan Schofield.
England have already had a look at him:
Cameron Redpath training with England at Twickenham open training session. pic.twitter.com/rGK71yw718
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) February 16, 2018
There's a mountain to climb...
"The youngsters have a chance to show they can handle the toughness of a Test match series in South Africa.”
Eddie gives you the lowdown on his England squad: https://t.co/N9UodseZK5pic.twitter.com/suNRd2DCD2— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 10, 2018
Insightful little video here.
Pack supercharged
That’s a fascinating England squad. Love the picks of Ben Earl and Jonny Hill in the forwards.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) May 10, 2018
Below the line
Keep this discussion coming please. There really are some very intriguing calls in this squad.
Mick Cleary on Danny Cipriani's selection
Jones on Shields
Brad Shields also included and Jones says he'll provide back-up for Chris Robshaw
— Duncan Bech (@DuncanBech) May 10, 2018
Eddie Jones
He's facing the press now, and he's been asked about Danny Cipriani.
"This isn't a recall. I've never picked him. I've been watching him closely, he's been doing some things that I've asked him to in the games. Now he's got to prove he's the best 10...or 15."
Josh McNally
The London Irish lock, a serving RAF weapons technician, gets a shot in the England training squad at their Brighton training camp. Read about his remarkable season, which has seen him recover from a stroke, right here.
Not considered
Jones did not consider these players for selection this summer due to injury or fatigue.
Backs: Danny Care (Harlequins), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints) , Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Forwards: Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) , James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Danny boy
Almost three years since his last Test appearance, over a decade since his Test debut...
Guess who's back.... pic.twitter.com/xlew61aVTr
— Alan Dymock (@AlanDymock) May 10, 2018
Attack coach
Eddie Jones has also confirmed that he is taking (drum roll) Scott Wisemantel to South Africa as an attack consultant.
The 48-year-old Australian was recently backs coach for Top 14 club Montpellier working with Jake White.
Squad for Brighton training camp
There are some very interesting names in here. They will prepare for the game against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)*, Ben Loader (London Irish)*, Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Jason Woodward (Gloucester Rugby)*, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors)*, Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *, Marcus Smith (Harlequins) *, Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Vellacott (Gloucester Rugby) *, Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Forwards
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks) *, Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby) *, Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints), Josh McNally (London Irish)*, Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *, Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Jono Ross (Sale Sharks)*, Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby) *, Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers)*, Beno Obano (Bath Rugby) *, Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors) *, Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors) *
Squad announced
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Saracens) *, Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *, Dan Robson (Wasps) *, Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens) *, Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Forwards
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens) *, Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *, Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens) , Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/ Wasps) *, Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Willis (Wasps) *, Mark Wilson (Newcastle), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
*uncapped
Reminder...
South Africa have won just two of their past eight Tests.
Less than 10 minutes until the announcement
We'll bring you the squad list at 8.45am.
Springbok set-back
If you missed this yesterday, South Africa's superb hooker Malcom Marx has been ruled out of the three-match series after a hamstring tendon tear.
Given he'd been in phenomenal form, that is a real shame.
Man of the people
Last night, Mako Vunipola won the RPA England player of the year award. Will Jones rest the Saracens loosehead prop? He has played so much rugby already this season.
Your England Player of the Year...
Congratulations @Mako_Vunipola ��
➡ https://t.co/rN20yKPxlIpic.twitter.com/sC3thmHwyz— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 9, 2018
Analysis
This is how Danny Cipriani hauled himself back into the England frame, then. His distribution and gain-line decision-making has been so sharp for Wasps.
And here's a look at what Brad Shields will offer.
Good morning
So this morning we find out who Eddie Jones is taking to South Africa for a three-Test series that feels like a defining point on England's road to Rugby World Cup 2019.
As ever, plenty of names have been thrown into the hat. Most of the Premiership's player pool - and a few outside of the domestic league - have been touted to travel with the squad.
Yesterday, we took a quick stab at second-guessing Jones. Take a look.
Since that article was published, it seems as though Danny Care has been told he will be rested for this summer. As Gavin Mairs reports, Danny Cipriani is poised for a recall as well.
The New Zealand Rugby Union have also released a rather catty statement confirming that Brad Shields will be released from his Hurricanes commitments to join up with England. So he's in then. Surely.
NEWS | Brad Shields available for @EnglandRugby selection.
READ ➡️https://t.co/geDZhX2yqHpic.twitter.com/maCGvlAibu— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) May 10, 2018
At losing to Ireland at the end of the Six Nations campaign, Jones hinted at a summer shake-up:
“We’re playing without five top back-rowers and other injuries. Some guys have come in and done really well and some may struggle to participate in the future. We have to get a greater depth to our squad that can play Test rugby.”
Pressed on whether some individuals had played their final game for England, he qualified the statement:
“I did not say that. I said there might be some players that don’t participate so don’t put words in my mouth please.
“There are some guys who are starting their international careers and they need time. I have to decide whether I have got time to get them ready for the World Cup.”