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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
John Evely

Bristol Bears forward tipped for England honours five years ago called up by Eddie Jones

Bristol Bears backrower Sam Jeffries has received his first senior England call-up to cap a remarkable comeback season after more than two years out of the game with knee issues.

The athletic Jeffries, 29, returned to playing this season having spent a couple of years in the Bears back room staff as the club's Professional Development Manager, helping players prepare for their careers after rugby.

He has been a regular in Pat Lams' side this season and has now been called up to train with England having been picked out as one of the brightest talents at the club by former All Black Steven Luatua nearly five years ago when the first Kiwi arrived in the South West.

Clubmate Harry Randall is included in the training squad but there is still no sign of Bristol tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler who has been absent with back niggles since the Six Nations.

READ MORE: Pat Lam's verdict as Bristol Bears' disappointing season ends in fitting fashion at Sale Sharks

Eddie Jones' 35-player squad will meet up at The Lensbury in Teddington tomorrow for a three day training camp as they continue preparations for next weekend’s match against the Barbarians and July’s tour of Australia.

Players who are involved in this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership semi-finals are not available for selection.

In other headlines, Jonny May returns to the squad after recovering from a knee injury.

There are also first involvements in a senior England camp for Biyi Alo, Charlie Atkinson, Freddie Clarke and Patrick Schickerling.

Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie (knee injury) and Bath's Anthony Watson (calf issue) will also be in camp undertaking rehab work.

Elsewhere, analyst Joe Lewis has re-joined the England set-up after a year working with Scarlets. Lewis will take on a new role of training coordinator and will lead analysis work on special projects.

Jones said: “With a number of players unavailable because of the Premiership semi-finals, we’ve got the opportunity to call up some new players.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn about them and see what potential they have to play a part in the Australia tour.

“We look forward to continuing the good work from our last camp in developing this team on and off the pitch.”

England face the Barbarians on June 19 in an uncapped game and then travel to Australia to face the Wallabies in Perth (Saturday 2 July, 11.05am BST KO), Brisbane (Saturday 9 July, 11.05am BST KO) and Sydney (Saturday 16 July, 11.05am BST KO). All matches will be live on Sky Sports.

FULL SQUAD
FORWARDS

Biyi Alo (Wasps, uncapped)
Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Freddie Clarke (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 40 caps)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Will Goodrick-Clarke (London Irish, uncapped)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)
Sam Jeffries (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Tom Pearson (London Irish, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Patrick Schickerling (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 3 caps)

BACKS
Henry Arundell (London Irish, uncapped)
Charlie Atkinson (Wasps, uncapped)
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Will Joseph (London Irish, uncapped)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps)
Paolo Odogwu (Wasps, uncapped)
Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Tom Parton (London Irish, uncapped)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
Dan Robson (Wasps, 14 caps)

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