Shock as Spencer fails to make training squad
ENGLAND have left Ben Spencer out of their 26-man training squad for a three-day camp that will continue preparations for a busy autumn schedule, writes Duncan Bech.
Spencer has been outstanding for Bath since lockdown but Eddie Jones has overlooked the former Saracens half-back in favour of Ben Youngs of Leicester Tigers, Willi Heinz and Alex Mitchell.
Jones, below, has been able to select players from losing Gallagher Premiership semi-finalists Bath, plus Sale and Worcester, whose rearranged match last week was cancelled because of an outbreak of coronavirus at the Sharks.
Bath are well represented in the squad that will train in south west London until today, although they supply five of seven ‘reconditioning’ players.
A surprise call-up is their centre Tom de Glanville, son of former England captain Phil, but there is no place for his team-mates Ruaridh McConnochie or Joe Cokanasiga.
McConnochie’s snub comes despite his try-scoring efficiency this season, but Cokanasiga is on the comeback trail from a serious knee injury and needs more game time.
Another centre hoping to advance his claim after former Tigers star Manu Tuilagi was ruled out for six months by an Achilles injury is the powerful uncapped Worcester back
Ollie Lawrence.
England’s autumn opens with the non-cap international against the Barbarians on Sunday week and continues against Italy in Rome six days later when the delayed 2020 Six Nations will be brought to a conclusion. Those games act as the curtain raiser to the Autumn Nations Cup, which has replaced the end of season tours from the southern hemisphere.
Jones names his team to face the Barbarians on October 23 and at this stage it appears as though Spencer will not play any part in the coming weeks, despite the rave reviews he has generated since switching Saracens for Bath during lockdown.
Jones has misgivings over his communication on the pitch and will persist with Heinz and Mitchell as Ben Youngs’ understudies.
“We had a good three-day camp last week working on the basics and developing our cohesion as a group,” Jones said.
“This week the focus is to raise the standard as we continue our preparation for the Italy game.”
ENGLAND TRAINING SQUAD
Forwards: T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), T Dunn (Bath Rugby), E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Worcester Warriors), M Itoje (Saracens), S Kerrod (Harlequins), B Obano (Bath Rugby), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: A Crossdale (Saracens), E Daly (Saracens), T de Glanville (Bath Rugby), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), W Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), O Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), J Marchant (Harlequins), J May (Gloucester Rugby), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), O Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).