Eight uncapped players in England squad for opener

ENGLAND coach Eddie Jones named a squad featuring eight uncapped players yesterday for the reigning champions Six Nations opener away to Italy in Rome next month.

Injuries and suspensions have robbed Jones of several senior players for the match in Rome on February 4.

No8 Billy Vunipola is to miss the tournament with a shoulder injury, while fellow back-row James Haskell and prop Joe Marler have both been ruled out of the Italy fixture and the following week’s clash against Wales because of suspensions received while on club duty.

Following this weekend’s club fixtures, 35 players will travel to Portugal for a weeklong training camp before reconvening on Monday January 29 at England’s Pennyhill Park training base.

Although there are several newcomers, the rest of Jones’s squad have 898 Test caps between them, with England bidding to make history by becoming the first side to win a third successive outright Championship title.

Harlequins prop Lewis Boyce is called up for the first time following club colleague Marler’s six-week ban.

Meanwhile, Gary Graham is retained, having been involved in the England setup for the first time earlier this month and Alec Hepburn of Exeter receives his first call-up to the senior squad.

Backs Nathan Earle (Saracens) and Harry Mallinder (Northampton) have also named after they both travelled on England’s tour of Argentina in June without playing.

Dylan Hartley, England captain, remains in the squad despite the hooker’s performances for Northampton this season coming in for criticism.