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The Independent UK

World

Jack de Menezes

Eddie Jones names squad for the autumn internationals

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:

2018-10-18T09:05:54.580Z

That's it from Eddie Jones!

2018-10-18T09:05:47.636Z

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."

2018-10-18T09:05:02.523Z

On who will lead out the team:

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

2018-10-18T09:04:42.520Z

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."

2018-10-18T09:03:03.270Z

On Danny Cipriani:

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

2018-10-18T09:02:39.743Z

On Manu Tuilagi:

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

2018-10-18T09:02:13.310Z

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.

2018-10-18T09:01:43.053Z

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."

2018-10-18T09:01:07.463Z

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."

2018-10-18T09:00:23.383Z

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"

2018-10-18T08:59:06.230Z

Eddie Jones is here...

2018-10-18T08:56:46.403Z

There's also the surprising announcement that Dylan Hartley and Owen Farrell will be co-captains, which Jones has named for the first time.

Previously in there absence he has named Chris Robshaw and George Ford as co-captains - for the tour of Argentina and the games against the Barbarians - but this is the first time that the close friends will share the captaincy duties.

2018-10-18T08:49:44.303Z

What Jones said:

“I’m really happy with this squad,” said Jones. “We can only control what we control and injuries have happened. It gives an opportunity for some good new players to play some importance Tests for England while players who have been in the squad before will have to take on more responsibility.”

We'll be hearing from the England head coach in under 10 minutes...

2018-10-18T08:47:21.523Z

Read the full story here

Danny Cipriani left out of England squad for autumn internationals

2018-10-18T08:46:29.090Z

The unavailable section makes particularly interesting reading, given that the likes of Sam Simmonds, Beno Obano and Matt Mullan are not included, suggesting they were never in Jones' thinking in the first place.

2018-10-18T08:45:15.353Z

Unavailable for selection
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Dan Robson (Wasps)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

2018-10-18T08:34:55.180Z

England squad in full

Front row: Ben Moon, Alec Hepburn, Dylan Hartley, Jamie George, Harry Williams, Kyle Sinckler, Nick Schonert

Second row: Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Elliot Stooke

Back row: Brad Shields, Tom Curry, Zach Mercer, Ben Morgan, Michael Rhodes, Sam Underhill, Mark Williams, Charlie Ewels, Ted Hill*

Scrum halves: Danny Care, Ben Youngs, Richard Wigglesworth

Fly halves: Owen Farrell, George Ford

Centres: Henry Slade, Ben Te'o, Manu Tuilagi, Alex Lozowski

Back three: Elliot Daly, Jack Nowell, Joe Cokanasiga, Mike Brown, Nathan Earle, Jonny May, Chris Ashton

2018-10-18T08:30:00.000Z

BREAKING

Danny Cipriani has been left out of the England squad, leaving his 2019 Rugby World Cup dreams hanging by a thread.

There is also no space for Dave Attwood and Alex Goode, who have been in sparkling form in the Premiership this season, as Jones leaves out the form players of the domestic campaign.

2018-10-18T08:28:19.803Z

Hold the press, the team is in and there's big news to bring you...

2018-10-18T08:05:39.700Z

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of England's latest squad announcement, with Eddie Jones set to name his side for the autumn internationals as they take on South Africa, New Zealand, Japan and Australia.