All 34 players who trained with England in the Algarve last week have regathered in Bagshot in preparation for Saturday’s opening Test of the Old Mutual Wealth Series. The fitness of Courtney Lawes to face South Africa remains uncertain but Eddie Jones has a range of other options to consider.
Ireland’s win over the All Blacks – the odds on an Irish World Cup success in 2019 have been cut from 14-1 to 10-1 - has reminded everyone of the value of physicality at the breakdown, an influential set piece and accurate decision-making, and Jones will be looking to encourage all three aspects this week. Tom Wood and the uncapped Nathan Hughes are both pushing hard for places in the match-day 23, along with two more uncapped forwards in Sale’s Josh Beaumont and Bath’s Charlie Ewels.
The Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler is already set to be named on the bench as Dan Cole’s understudy at tighthead, with two changes also guaranteed on the wings. Semesa Rokoduguni and Jonny May are favourites to return to the starting XV in the absence of the injured Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell. Jones is due to trim his squad on Tuesday, with the match-day lineup to be officially confirmed on Thursday.
South Africa will be without Jesse Kriel, who has returned home after suffering a lower-leg injury against the Barbarians at Wembley. He will be replaced by the Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, with Jamba Ulengo also remaining with the squad as cover for JP Pietersen, Willie le Roux and Ruan Combrinck, who are all nursing niggles.
A new rugby headguard is due to be launched in the UK and Ireland on Monday with claims that it reduces impact force and improves protection against concussion. The N-Pro is designed to lessen the G-force transferred to a player’s head during injury, with its Irish inventors insisting its multilayer construction makes it up to 75% more effective than existing headguards.
New Zealand’s George Moala is flying home after injuring his elbow against Ireland. The centre Ryan Crotty has a hamstring strain but, for now, will remain a part of the All Blacks tour squad.
