McConnochie closes in on shock World Cup call

FORMER Great Britain Sevens star Ruaridh McConnochie has moved closer to becoming England’s shock World Cup selection after being picked in a training squad. The 27-year-old back-three player has had a fine first season in professional 15-a-side rugby with Bath and is in Eddie Jones’ provisional 45-man group, which will be whittled down in June. McConnochie (below) was not picked in the squad for the Barbarians match this Sunday, which is believed to be a positive for the Olympic silver medallist’s World Cup chances. Jim Mallinder, the former Northampton Saints coach, is in charge as Jones steps aside for the non-cap exhibition and has picked a highly inexperienced squad. It includes Harlequins starlets Marcus Smith, 20, and Alex Dombrandt, 22, as well as Sale’s 20-year-old flanker Ben Curry. All those named by Mallinder are unlikely to force their way into the World Cup squad now, with only Tommy Taylor, Paul Hill and Teimana Harrison having won Test caps. They will face a serious test at Twickenham against a star-studded Barbarians side. ENGLAND XV squad to play Barbarians: Forwards — J Beaumont, B Curry, R Harrison (all Sale), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), T Dunn, T Ellis, B Obano, E Stooke (all Bath), T Harrison, P Hill, E Painter (all Northampton), W Spencer (Leicester), T Taylor (Wasps). Backs — J Bassett (Wasps), S Hammersley, J Williams (both Newcastle), B Loader (London Irish), J Marchant, M Smith (both Harlequins), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), P O’Conor, C Sheedy (both Bristol), B White (Leicester).