Odogwu in frame as Jones set to name squad
Eddie Jones' scope to surprise when he names England's Guinness Six Nations squad from selfisolation has been severely restricted, but Wasps finisher Paolo Odogwu could feature as a bolter.
Jones has been forced to finalise selection for his team's title defence from home after his assistant Matt Proudfoot tested positive for coronavirus.
England's head coach still names his squad today as planned knowing that having been limited to 28 players for the duration of the tournament, his scope for experimentation has been eroded.
The reduction from the usual number of around 32-36 is to help minimise the potential for an outbreak of Covid-19 by curtailing movement in and out of the bubble environments at St George's Park and the Lensbury, their bases in the coming weeks.
An advantage of the new system is that Jones is able to retain the 28 for the entire week rather than being required to send some players back to their clubs on Tuesday night.
It means there is no room for bringing apprentice players into camp, with Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith and versatile Wasps forward Alfie Barbeary recent examples.
The squad will have a familiar look but Jones is keen on Odogwu, who has emerged as a devastating force at centre and wing for Wasps this season, topping the stats charts for clean line breaks and most metres made. The uncapped 23-year-old of Nigerian heritage can also play for Italy through his father, so picking him would be a step towards securing his services.