Jones set to take Care of Barbarians

DANNY Care’s attacking instincts have placed him on the brink of an England comeback in tomorrow’s uncapped international against the Barbarians.

However, none of the four Newcastle Falcons included in the 36-man training group for the contest have been included in the 23-man matchday squad.

Forwards Jamie Blamire, Callum Chick and Trevor Davison and wing Adam Radwan have all failed to make the cut for the Twickenham showdown.

However, Care has been picked on the bench as scrum-half cover for the starting Harry Randall nearly four years after he made the last of his 84 Test appearances, when he fell out with Eddie Jones.

The 35-year-old’s electric form for Harlequins over the last two seasons has earned him a recall, with Jones viewing his influence in attack as being ideal for the speed of the modern game.

Jones said: “I’ve always liked Danny as a player. He played a lot of Tests for me early on, from 2016 to 2018

“He has the ability to jump on a break and make sure the attack keeps going forward which, given the speed of the ball in today’s game, is invaluable - and he’s a good character.

“Since he been in camp he’s been fantastic, really rejuvenated.

“He’s a little bit wiser than he was before so it’s really positive.”

What role Care is to play in Jones’ plans beyond tomorrow remains uncertain, with England’s head coach declining to say whether he will be involved in next month’s tour to Australia.

He will be 36 by the time the next World Cup arrives and is behind at least Randall and Ben Youngs in the scrum-half hierarchy - but Jones refused to close any doors.

He added: “The only thing we’re worried about this week is the Barbarians, then we will worry about the Australia tour. I know it sounds boring but that’s how it is.

“I don’t think age is a consideration. It’s about Danny’s desire to get better and whether physically he can do it. “

England team to face the Barbarians (tomorrow, 3.00, Twickenham): T Freeman (Northampton Saints); J Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), J Marchant (Harlequins), M Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), J May (Gloucester Rugby), M Smith (Harlequins), H Randall (Bristol Bears); B Rodd (Sale Sharks), J Walker (Harlequins), W Collier (Harlequins), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), J Hill (Exeter Chiefs), T Curry (C) (Sale Sharks), S Underhill (Bath Rugby), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).

Replacements: J Singleton (Gloucester Rugby), W GoodrickClarke (London Irish), P Schickerling (Exeter Chiefs), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), J Willis ( Wasps), D Care (Harlequins), O Bailey (Bath Rugby), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs).

Barbarians team: M Spring (France, R92); D Penaud (France, Clermont), V Vakatawa (France, R92), L Botia (Fiji, La Rochelle), D Niniashvili (Georgia, Lyon); A Hastoy (France, Pau), B Couilloud (France, Lyon); J-B Gros (France, Toulon), P Bourgarit (France, La Rochelle), B Gigashvili (Georgia, Toulon), G Kruis (England, Panasonic Wild Knights), W Skelton (Australia, La Rochelle), D Cretin (France, Lyon), C Ollivon (C) (France, Toulon), Y Tanga (France, R92). Replacements: D Priso (France, La Rochelle), C Tolofua (France, Toulon), S Falatea (France, Clermont), T Lavault (La Rochelle), N Le Garrec (R92), L Carbonel (France, Toulon), S Macalou (France, Stade Francais), T Vili (France, Clermont), T Laclayat (Oyonnax – travelling reserve).