Well that’s all from me, thanks for reading and for all your emails and tweets. Roll on the Six Nations.
Steve Borthwick on what the England players can expect from Eddie Jones: “Attention to detail, the amount of time Eddie puts into preparation, absolute clarity and an absolute understanding. We will walk on to the field knowing exactly what we need to do to win the game.”
On Owen Farrell: “Owen is capable of playing as a 10 or a 12. Every team in the world wants a ball player at 12 but how many teams actually have one? There aren’t any. He’s a candidate for that spot.”
On Henry Slade: “Henry is more suited to 12 or 10 [rather than 13]. Hopefully when he is more fit we can have a look at him.”
On Chris Robshaw: “We’re not gonna have any six and a halves. We want a six and a seven. Chris Robshaw has been playing brilliantly at 6 and he will be pushing hard for that place.”
Jones is asked about the captaincy (yet to be revealed):
“We’ve got 33 players, then it gets down to 23, then we have to pick 15, then I’ll worry about the captain.” Could anyone be captain then? “Yeah, you could be captain, mate.”
“He’s got to be one of the first names in the team, your best player, lead by example, set standards of how we operate on the field, off the field, and be a conduit between staff and players.” Will it be an appointment for the long-term or just the Six Nations? “Probably just an appointment for the Six Nations, to start with.”
Eddie Jones on whether his team will be a radical transformation from Lancaster’s: “Radical? How do you define radical. Radical for me would be playing really good rugby. We move it with crispness, with speed, with accuracy. If that’s radical, then that’s what you’ve got coming.”
Eddie Jones speaks live...
This is an interesting point. I wonder what influence Paul Gustard had on the squad.
@Ostlere_ the absence of Barritt & Fraser suggests that despite Paul Gustard being defence coach - England r not just copying the Wolf Pack
— Gareth Vaughan (@grv849) January 13, 2016
Updated
“Well I think on the whole the squad is brilliant,” emails a chirpy Alan without surname. “Not surprised Tom Youngs left out, one must for a top notch hooker is the ability to through the ball in, been routing for Kvesic for a long time now and agree with other new inclusions especially Otoje, although a young lad his self control is tremendous, only disappointment to me is the omission once again of Cipriani, any of his deft touches could win a world cup final and I believe over the years he has proved he is a top fly half, I would of left Goode out, who I consider a catch and punt full back.”
Some thoughts on Chris Robshaw’s future role:
@Ostlere_ Robshaw will stay as captain at 6. Clifford and Itoje in waiting.
— Matthew Howe (@matthewhowe69) January 13, 2016
@ShazD09 @Ostlere_ Agreed. He made a couple of bad decisions, but he controlled England's discipline, something they suffer badly from.
— Adam Bradshaw (@adambradshaw86) January 13, 2016
The captaincy won’t be confirmed for a couple of weeks but it’s one area where there doesn’t seem to be an easy option for Eddie Jones. Removing Robshaw would be the strongest symbol yet of his intent to move away from the Lancaster era and installing Dylan Hartley in his place, the man effectively banished for indiscipline, would go even further, but it does carry the risk that he could headbutt someone at any given moment. Then again, maybe England need a someone a little spiky leading them out.
Here are the seven uncapped players: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), and Maro Itoje (Saracens). Who are we most excited about?
There’s been plenty of talk about Ollie Devoto this week, the 22-year-old Bath back getting his first England call-up:
Excited to see @EnglandRugby new generation get a chance with the announcement of Eddie jones EPS squad
— Lewis Moody (@LewisMoody7) January 13, 2016
Our very own Rob Kitson’s take:
Sign of the changing times...only two players aged over 30 in England's squad of 33... #rugby
— robert kitson (@robkitson) January 13, 2016
Will Greenwood is excited:
Great call Eddie Jones... Ollie Devoto - has got all attributes to be a top class 12.. @englandrugby Been a fan for a long time.
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) January 13, 2016
Another lad who will be the real deal Josh Beaumont.. @englandrugby serious pace, fantastic ball player, rugby intelligence..
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) January 13, 2016
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Overall a great looking squad. Surprised not to see Simpson in there, but I'd have thought he is no. 3 behind Care and Youngs, who (given their experience) probably shade it.
Tom Youngs can consider himself unlucky, but again the two hookers that are in are top quality although Hartley more on rep. than form.
Glad Kevesic made it, even though by the skin of his teeth. Exciting times.
Not everyone is upset over Tom Youngs’ exclusion:
@Ostlere_ Why is Youngs lauded - his throwing is suspect and his scrummaging isn’t that strong and he can’t hook, apart from that…
— Richard Earney (@methodphoto) January 13, 2016
"There will always be opportunities to anyone playing consistently well in the Premiership and Europe."
Has he let slip a change to the overseas player rule?
Presumably Jones means in European competition rather than in the European leagues. He has said previously that he will keep to the rule imposed by those above not to select players contracted to clubs abroad.
Updated
The captaincy won’t be confirmed for a couple of weeks, but it’s fair to say Dylan Hartley is lurking with intent.
Interesting angle on the statement Eddie Jones is making with this squad:
@Ostlere_ this selection really is a critique of Lancaster's previous selections - dropping Lancaster favourites such as Youngs, Parling 1/2
— Gareth Vaughan (@grv849) January 13, 2016
@Ostlere_ 2/2 ... Barritt, Wood and Wiggleworth. Not to mention convincing Robshaw to re-focus as a blindside - rather than as an openside
— Gareth Vaughan (@grv849) January 13, 2016
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Most people seem pretty happy that Eddie Jones has given the squad a good shake and is prepared to blood some young ones, but the omission of Joe Simpson has baffled just as many.
Fraser and Simpson are the notable omissions for me. Im unsure as to how different the starting xv will look, but I guess we'll see what difference a completely different coach has.
I have spoken to some of the players who have not been selected. Naturally they will be disappointed and that is how it should be. They know what they need to do to get back into this squad.
Would be interested to know what he's telling Joe Simpson he needs to do. He's the best English 9 by some way at the moment, Care and Youngs can think themselves lucky that he's been overlooked.
Glad Kvesic is in, think he could be outstanding for England. Disappointed Haskell is in. Don't think Yarde is good enough, but Ashton is a good shout in May's absence. As for Devoto, he's always looked good but he is a backup for Bath normally isn't he? When Eastmond and Joseph are both fit. Worrying for England if we're having to pick guys who can't get a start for their clubs...
The former Leicester and England lock Louis Deacon has weighed in with his thoughts on the squad announcement, saying what a lot of people are thinking:
How can @TomYoungs87 not be in the @EnglandRugby squad. The best hooker in England by a mile!!!!!
— Louis Deacon (@loudeacs) January 13, 2016
“Yeah – he’s done alright there,” reckons Gary Stanley. “What’s he got against Simpson? I’d have him starting against Scotland. Hartley wouldn’t make the starting XV for me (let alone captain!). I’d go with Mako, Jamie George and Kieran Brookes if all fit.”
Updated
Lots of people surprised that scrum-half Joe Simpson has been left out of the squad, likewise that Matt Kvesic is only a replacement rather than earning a place outright.
@Ostlere_ very surprised to see that Will Fraser has not made the cut and that Matt Kvesic only made it as a replacement for Dace Ewers!
— Gareth Vaughan (@grv849) January 13, 2016
@Ostlere_ I want to see Chris Robshaw continue as captain. I don't know what the chances are but he's a great example of a level headed cpt
— Shannen Davies (@ShazD09) January 13, 2016
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Pretty happy with that, only think I might do different is Cips for Ford based on club form
Fraser and Simpson are the notable omissions for me. Im unsure as to how different the starting xv will look, but I guess we'll see what difference a completely different coach has.
What are your thoughts? Excited? Petrified? Totally unmoved? Let me know and in the meantime you can read all the details here:
The England head coach, Eddie Jones:
We have selected a squad of players who we think can go to Murrayfield and win. This is our number one priority, to start with a win, so we have picked a squad which is a mix of experience and potential.
The long-term strategy for England is to develop a side who can be the most dominant team in world rugby, so we have chosen a lot of new players on the growth we see in them. We see these players growing into England players of the future and developing into a side who can be the best in the world. Our aim is to develop a squad where there is depth and competition in every position.
I have spoken to some of the players who have not been selected. Naturally they will be disappointed and that is how it should be. They know what they need to do to get back into this squad. The door is not shut for anyone. There is no such thing as a shut door because of injuries and loss of form. There will always be opportunities to anyone playing consistently well in the Premiership and Europe.
We will be without Manu Tuilagi for the Scotland game but we will continue to work with Leicester Tigers and Manu and see where he is as the Six Nations progresses. With big European weekends ahead there may be further changes once we assess the fitness of the players.
I am really excited about working with England and together with Steve and Paul we hope to build a team that will reflect the level of talent that exists within the English game.
England squad for Six Nations
Tom Youngs left out of the squad. Seven uncapped players called up, Manu Tuilagi in (should he recover from injury), Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley recalled.
Forwards
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) *injury replacement for Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Backs
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *injury replacement for Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Updated
“I’m looking for a squad packed with youth,” says Gary Stanley. “I predict we will finish the 6 nations 4th and go on to win the World Cup in 2019. Hurrah!” Bold, Gary, but I like it.
“Regarding the debate over Hartley as England captain, it isn’t just his disciplinary record that stands against him but the fashion for taking hookers off after 60 minutes,” emails Alan Reid. “Even more so in England’s case if you have an ‘impact’ player like Tom Youngs on the bench. In a tight game do you really want to have a new captain having to establish a rapport with the referee for the last 20 minutes? The great captains of recent years - Martin Johnson (whose record nowhere near as bad as Hartley’s), Paul O’Connell, Richie McCaw, Sam Warburton and at club level Leo Cullen are all guys who are more or less guaranteed to play for 80 minutes.”
Meanwhile, England Rugby have really got the internet gripped...
What lies behind this door? It is almost time for the England squad to be unveiled. Check back at 2pm. pic.twitter.com/W6CoAP57Hm
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 13, 2016
Updated
“Finally Brad Barritt axed!” cheers Mark Dominy over email. “A cucumber has more attacking flair than him. Glad Jones realises that you need to be more than a solid defender to be an international centre! Although, Brad didn’t even do that very well at the World Cup!”
“Injured/fitness concerns looking a pretty handy team ...” says Simon Gates.
... And I’m not allowed to tell you for another 12 minutes. Ah. This is awkward. Keep talking amongst yourselves.
The squad is out...
Gareth Lewis emails his tuppence worth on England’s back row: “As there is, rightly, so much debate over who England should pick at flanker, and I, like so many, believe that an out and out 7 is a must for any side, surely now is the right time to reignite the debate about picking players outside the premiership? Surely the best English open side flanker is Steffon Armitage. For a guy to be so highly regarded amongst the ‘Galacticos’ that is Toulon he must be pretty special.”
Some reports that Joe Simpson has not made the cut. The Wasps scrum-half has been a man in form so far this season and, if true, the decision will disappoint plenty who think No9 is a position England need to revitalise.
@Ostlere_ Amused to read that Martin Johnson didn’t think Hartley should be captain because of his disciplinary record. Pots and Kettles?
— Richard Earney (@methodphoto) January 13, 2016
“I can see the benefits of Hartley as captain,” says Paul Tomkins. “I think the psychology is that he knows this will be his last shot in an England shirt and that should provide the determination to keep it clean enough to stay on the field and bring home a trophy. He is a proven winner and his grit would go some way to setting the hardened tone required.”
He has had a few last shots before, mind.
At 19, Sam Underhill would be one of the bolder moves and it sounds as if he won’t be included this time. Certainly the flanker positions are a major point of interest that Eddie Jones has to address; it sounds as if he is likely to take a punt on at least two of Jack Clifford, Will Fraser and Maro Itoje.
“Hello Lawrence,” emails Ben Porte. “I totally agree with James (Anderson). Not having an out and out No7 has cost England dear over the past few years. There is a dearth of talent in England which offers the pace and power EJ is looking for - but it is the lack of guile and nous which has often seen them fall short.
“As a Welshman, and Ospreys fan, I saw a young Sam Underhill outshine Sean O’Brien last week. He not only provided a crucial link in attack but also relieved so much pressure on our defence. EJ has to ensure he gets the balance right.”
And here is Rob Kitson’s possible 33-man squad:
Backs
M Brown (Harlequins); A Goode (Saracens), C Ashton (Saracens), J Nowell (Exeter), A Watson (Bath), M Yarde (Harlequins), E Daly (Wasps), J Joseph (Bath), M Tuilagi (Leicester), O Devoto (Bath)/S Hill (Exeter), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Bath), D Care (Harlequins), J Simpson (Wasps), B Youngs (Leicester).
Forwards
D Hartley (Northampton), J George (Saracens), T Youngs (Leicester), J Marler (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), K Brookes (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester), P Hill (Northampton), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), M Itoje (Saracens), G Kruis (Saracens), J Clifford (Harlequins), J Haskell (Wasps), W Fraser (Saracens), C Robshaw (Harlequins), J Beaumont (Sale), B Vunipola (Saracens).
Here are some of the names to look out for:
Possible new faces
Wasps centre Elliot Daly, Saracens forward Maro Itoje, Harlequins flanker Jack Clifford, Exeter centre Sam Hill, Sale number eight Josh Beaumon, Sarecens flanker Will Fraser, Opsreys flanker Sam Underhill, Northampton prop Paul Hill, Bath back Ollie Devoto
Potential recalls
Chris Ashton, Semesa Rokoduguni, Marland Yarde, Joe Simpson, Luther Burrell
Facing the axe?
Brad Barritt, Tom Wood, Joe Marler, Geoff Parling, Richard Wigglesworth, Rob Webber, David Wilson
Injured/fitness concerns
Henry Slade, Jonny May, Dave Attwood, Ed Slater, Kieran Brookes, Jack Nowell, Joe Launchbury, Manu Tuilagi, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alex Corbisiero, Dave Ewers, Calum Clark, Mike Williams, Henry Slade, Jonny May, Christian Wade
Updated
Here is what Eddie Jones envisages his England will look like:
There is a lot of good talent in England, and it’s about bringing it through. We’ve got to back a few players, and hopefully they will develop.
We’re going to win. When you are coaching a team, you don’t move away from the natural part of the team. Successful England teams in the past have always had a good set-piece and a good defence. We want to have those things. We want a really good scrum, so we might bring some of the old blokes back. But we’ve got to add to that, we have to develop a much more adaptive attacking game.
We’ve always got to have the mindset of wanting to attack. If you look at the Six Nations since 2003, England are ranked fourth in terms of trophies. So it would be nice to bring one home.
@Ostlere_ if the rumours are true and #DannyCipriani is not in the squad then there really is no justice in the world.
— Gareth Vaughan (@grv849) January 13, 2016
James Anderson has kicked things off with the first email of the day: “Not sure about these rumours that Kvesic isn’t even in the squad. He’s the most experienced out and out 7 we have and in good form. Don’t think Hartley should be captain either, would have thought EJ would maybe not choose a long term captain until he knows his best XV.”
One hot potato that will continue to be passed around for another couple of weeks is the England captaincy, but you can certainly send me your views on that and any number of other topics. Who should be captain? Who should be in? Who should be out? Where should Chris Robshaw play? Is Richard Wigglesworth a better name than Billy Twelvetrees? Send your thoughts via twitter to @Ostlere_, or if you’re not on twitter you can email me at lawrence.ostlere@theguardian.com. If you’re not on email then you really should be, most business is done on email these days.
If this photo doesn’t get your Six Nations juices flowing, I really don’t know what to do with you...
Whose getting excited? Here's where Eddie Jones will announce his first England squad. Read it first here at 2pm. pic.twitter.com/NCT20Qmccd
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) January 13, 2016
The new head coach has picked his staff and now it is the playing squad that faces a shake up. Eddie Jones will name his first England squad this afternoon and he is expected to make sweeping changes, basing his selection on current club form and giving several uncapped players the nod as England try to leave behind their disastrous World Cup campaign. The 33-man group is expected to feature exciting newcomers like the Wasps centre Elliot Day and the Saracens flanker Maro Itoje as Jones builds towards the Six Nations opener with Scotland at Murrayfield on 6 February. “Ultimately we want to be the most dominant team in the world,” he says. That long and unfathomable road begins here.
Squad announcement: 2pm GMT
Updated
Hello. Lawrence will be here shortly. Until then, here’s Rob Kitson on what we can expect from ‘Fast’ Eddie’s first England squad:
Do not be surprised if some no-nonsense players surface on his watch. Dylan Hartley as captain – all bristle and edge – would be just the start, the Northampton hooker’s sore ribs and form permitting. Welcome to the era of steelier mindsets, basic skills relentlessly honed, unapologetic power and extra pace to cope with an ever-swifter game. Fear of failure is so last year. England may not win this year’s Six Nations but they can be confidently relied upon to give it a rattle.
“Ultimately we want to be the most dominant team in the world but to start with we have to beat Scotland,” emphasised Jones on Sunday. “When we go to Scotland we have to make sure the players are well prepared, cohesive and understand their roles … I know the England players we select will not be short of pride and passion.”
The new era could be good news for men such as George Kruis, the Vunipola brothers and Owen Farrell, all of whom have contributed plenty to Saracens’ fine start to the season. With Henry Slade injured and Manu Tuilagi only just feeling his way back, Farrell could yet be deployed at 12 in addition to fly-half. Jones’s new defence coach, Paul Gustard, remains a committed fan of Brad Barritt but injury to Gloucester’s Jonny May is poised to allow Chris Ashton another chance on the wing. With yet another former Saracen in Steve Borthwick in charge of the forwards, it would be no surprise if Jamie George and Will Fraser are somewhere close as well.
Most interesting player is probably Devoto who hasn't had much of a mention from many people. I've always seen him as a player that doesn't quite have the skills to play 10 but could be a great physical 12 that can distribute too (which is how Bath now use him I think). It's no surprise that EJ's gone for only two fly half first players though given we have Goode, Devoto and perhaps in future Slade that can play there too. He could be the option to provide physicality without disrupting the back line.