Jones overlooks Brown for first time during his England tenure

ENGLAND have dropped Mike Brown for the first time in the Eddie Jones era after he was omitted from the 25-man squad for Saturday’s clash with South Africa.

Brown has been a virtual ever-present since 2012 and had never previously been left out of Jones’ strongest matchday 23 when fit, appearing in 29 of the Australian head coach’s 31 Tests in charge.

However, the Harlequins fullback will play no part against the Springboks at Twickenham despite impressing when picked on the wing over three Tests against the same opposition during the summer.

Brown’s tenacity and strength in the carry have made him a reliable option for successive England coaches, but his exclusion casts doubt over his involvement in next year’s World Cup.

It is a significant selection call and, with the 33-year old out of contention, Elliot Daly is certain to continue at full-back with Jones to choose two wings out of Chris Ashton, Jonny May and Jack Nowell.

If Ashton is chosen, he will be making his first international appearance since 2014, with the intervening years notable for falling out of favour, a series of lengthy bans and a one-season spell at Toulon.

Manu Tuilagi made his last start in the same game against New Zealand and is poised to reclaim his place at outside centre.

Offering the potential of a shock-and-awe selection in midfield is the retention of Ben Te’o alongside Tuilagi, with Jones scheduled to name his starting XV tomorrow when two players will be culled from the 25.