SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 1 day 51 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

England

England include Jack Willis, Jacob Umaga in squad for autumn internationals

:Headline: England include Jack Willis, Jacob Umaga in squad for autumn internationals: ID:419870: from db_amp
The uncaped Wasps duo are in the squad for the Six Nations finale against Italy and Autumn Nations Cup.

England have named uncapped Wasps duo Jack Willis and Jacob Umaga in their squad for the Six Nations finale against Italy and Autumn Nations Cup.

Willis was expected to be picked in the 36-man party following a blockbusting season in which he emerged as the Gallagher Premiership's foremost breakdown specialist, but Umaga's inclusion is a surprise.

The 22-year-old is chosen ahead of Exeter's Joe Simmonds and could win his first cap in Rome on Saturday due to being only one of two fly-halves present alongside Owen Farrell.

Henry Slade is also included fresh from his heroics in helping the Chiefs defeat Wasps 19-13 in the Premiership final on Saturday and has experience at 10.

England have been bolstered by the availability of seven players who took part in a captivating climax to the domestic season at Twickenham, including Willis, Umaga and Slade.

Completing the list are Exeter tight five forwards Jonny Hill and Harry Williams and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury and scrum-half Dan Robson.

Also present for the first time since the World Cup is Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga, whose season has been hindered by a serious knee injury.

“We want to put a smile on fans' faces, a lot of people are enduring hardships and we are grateful for the opportunity to represent England in these difficult times”
- Eddie Jones

England have reported a number of fresh injuries in hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, wing Ali Crossdale and flanker Mark Wilson.

It also appears that full-back Elliot Daly, fly-half George Ford and prop Joe Marler will miss the showdown with Italy when England will be playing for the title. All three are listed as reconditioning.

Ford's absence has created an opportunity for Umaga with Eddie Jones naming his team to face Italy on Thursday morning.

England's preparations for their attempt to claim a third Six Nations title under Jones have been disrupted by the cancellation of Sunday's fixture against the Barbarians after a number of the invitational club's players broke coronavirus protocols.

Jack Willis, left, has impressed for Wasps this season (Adam Davy/PA)

"We have to put our best foot forward if we want to win the Six Nations," Jones said.

"We need to set the tone of the game and we want to put a smile on fans' faces, a lot of people are enduring hardships and we are grateful for the opportunity to represent England in these difficult times.

"We were obviously disappointed with the postponement of the Barbarians game but we moved to plan B, had a highly competitive training session instead of the match and now we are fully focused on the Italy game and the goal of winning the Six Nations."

amp_article__419870 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-10-26 12:32:47:
html db last update - 2021-03-05 14:47:41 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jack Willis

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .