Guinness Six Nations: England squad named ahead of Ireland Test
England men's head coach Eddie Jones has named a 35-man squad to begin preparations to play Ireland in their opening Guinness Six Nations match in Dublin on 2 February 2019 (kick off 4.45pm, live on ITV).
Props Mako Vunipola (Saracens) and Ellis Genge (Leicester
Tigers), second row Joe Launchbury (Wasps) and number eight Billy
Vunipola (Saracens) all return from injury having not played for
England since the South Africa tour last season.
There are also recalls for Jack Clifford (Harlequins) and Ollie
Devoto (Exeter Chiefs) who have not featured in an England shirt
since 2017 and 2016 respectively due to injuries.
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), who has played 82 Tests for England,
returns having last played for his country against Ireland in last
season's Six Nations.
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby) is included for the first time and
is one of four uncapped players selected alongside Ben Earl
(Saracens), Dan Robson (Wasps) and Jack Singleton (Worcester
Warriors).
The 22-year-old Gloucester winger has made 39 career appearances
for his club and was part of England's U20 team that won the World
Rugby Under 20 Championship in 2016.
Singleton, who also won the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2016,
has previously toured with England to South Africa and Argentina
with Earl and Robson joining the squad in the three-Test series
against the Springboks in June.
Co-captain Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) is not included in
the initial squad due to a knee injury so Owen Farrell (Saracens)
will captain the side in his absence.
Eddie Jones said: "We are very happy with the squad and have a
number of players who have come back from long-term injury. We are
looking forward to getting across to Portugal and having a good
ten-day preparation for the Ireland game.
Jones added on England's priorities while in Portugal: "The first
thing when we get together as a squad is to get our cohesion back.
The players have been playing for their clubs with different styles
and different playing philosophies, so it's about getting them
thinking about playing the England way. The second thing is to get
our togetherness stronger to work as hard as we can to make sure we
are well connected on and off the field so Portugal is an important
camp for us."
On England's first opponents in the tournament, he said: "Ireland
is the best side in the world. They are a very well coached and
drilled side and have particular things they do well in the game.
To beat Ireland, we need to compete brutally in all the contest
areas of the game."
Jones added on Hartley's absence: "Unfortunately, Dylan won't be
available for the Ireland game so we won't take him to Portugal but
we are hopeful he will be back later in the Championship. Owen will
be captain by himself and he will certainly have great support from
a number of senior players."
The squad will travel to Portugal on Wednesday 23 January to begin
their preparations. A squad of 25 players will depart for Dublin on
Thursday 31 January.
Hospitality tickets for the Guinness Six Nations are still
available to purchase online
here