England chance May, Heinz and Thorley hope to face Barbarians
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HALF of Gloucester Rugby’s six players called up by England head coach Eddie Jones to prepare for the first of the Autumn internationals have been brought back into camp this week ahead of the game with the Barbarians on Sunday.
Jones has kept experienced international backs Jonny May and Willi Heinz in his 32-man squad, along with uncapped Ollie Thorley.
However the trio of Cherry and White forwards initially called up - Jack Clement, Lewis Ludlow and Jack Singleton have all missed out on this occasion.
Former Sir Thomas Rich’s pupil Sam Underhill, of Bath, is also included.
England return to Twickenham on Sunday in what will be the first game for Jones’ side since March. Kick-off is at 2pm.
The match is live on Sky Sports Arena with coverage starting from 1pm.
Jones said: “This is an important game for us and we’re looking forward to getting back to Twickenham and playing rugby.
“We’ve had two really good camps, going back to basics and how we want to play.
“The Barbarians squad has a rich blend of talent, so this week we’ll be testing ourselves under pressure and looking to take our game to the next level.”
Following the no-cap Quilter Cup game, England will travel to Rome to face Italy in the final round of the delayed 2020 Guinness Six Nations on Saturday October 31 (4.45pm). The match is live on ITV.
England will then play four matches as part of the Autumn Nations Cup, returning to Twickenham for games against against Georgia (Saturday November 14, 3pm) and Ireland (Saturday November, 21, 3pm).
They will then face Wales away (Saturday November 28, 4pm) before a placing match at home to determine final position in the competition (Sunday December 6, 2pm).
All Autumn Nations Cup games will be live on Amazon Prime.
Jones will bring a selection of players from Premiership finalists Exeter Chiefs and Wasps, and Bristol Bears who are on standby to play on Saturday if Wasps have to forfeit the game due to a Covid19 outbreak at the club in the last week, for the remaining international games. Backs: A Crossdale (Saracens), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), P Francis (Northampton Saints), G Furbank (Northampton Saints), W Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), O Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), J Marchant (Harlequins), J May (Gloucester Rugby), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), O Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), A Watson (Bath Rugby), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Forwards: T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), T Dunn (Bath Rugby), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Worcester Warriors), M Itoje (Saracens), A Moon (Northampton Saints), B Obano (Bath Rugby), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), S Underhill (Bath Rugby), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), M Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Louis Rees-zammit looks almost sertain to be in the Wales 23 for their game with France in Paris.
Head coach Wayne Pivac has released Liam Williams to feature for the Scarlets this weekend while Dragons winger Jonah Holmes has also been released for regional action.”
Gloucester’s Chris Harris will play in the centre for Scotland when they host Georgia at Murrayfield on Friday (live on ITV4).
Gloucester pair Jake Polledri and Stephen Varney are in the Itlay squad for the Six Nations game in Ireland, along with ex-gloucester man Callum Braley and ex-hartpury back row Seb Negri.