Tom ‘got stronger with a beard’

LONDON: Flank Tom Wood, whose last Test appearance came against Uruguay in the 2015 World Cup, was the surprise inclusion in Eddie Jones’ squad for the autumn internationals as the coach seeks to deal with an injury crisis.

The 29-year-old Northampton man was drafted in following a series of injuries that has ruled out 10 players, including five flanks, for the games against South Africa, who England have not beaten for 10 years, Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

That situation has also opened the door for Wood’s clubmate Teimana Harrison, who was unceremoniously hauled off by Jones after 29 minutes of the third Test against Australia in June.

There were also recalls for wings Jonny May and Semesa Rokoduguni, powerful lock Dave Attwood and prop Joe Marler in a 33-man-squad.

Jones has been publicly critical of Wood and Harrison, but says he has been impressed by how they have responded. “He’s got stronger with longer hair and a beard, he’s like Samson,” he said of newly-hirsute 42-cap Wood.

Harrison may be drafted into the troublesome No 7 berth after impressing Jones in Northampton’s heavy European Cup defeat by Castres.

“That was the best performance I’ve seen from a No 7 in a Premiership team,” Jones said of Harrison.

Jones said it remained an option to switch Chris Robshaw back to his previous openside role.

May, and Rokoduguni are battling for the chance to go straight into the starting team in the absence of injured first-choice duo Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell.

The uncapped players in the squad are prop Kyle Sinckler, backrower Nathan Hughes, lock Charlie Ewels, wing Mike Haley, flyhalf Alex Lozowski and centre Ben Te’o.

“History shows that when you’re preparing for a World Cup you need depth down to four and five in all positions,” Jones said.

“(New Zealand’s) Stephen Donald was out whitebaiting and kicked the winning goal in a World Cup final wearing a jersey that was too small. That’s the sort of depth you need.” – Reuters