Jones to gamble on Nowell and Cokanasiga
ENGLAND are set to roll the dice by including injured Jack Nowell and rookie Joe Cokanasiga in their final 31-man World Cup squad next month. Nowell, 26, had surgery on his left ankle last month, but is poised to be named in the party with head coach Eddie Jones gambling on the Exeter back’s fitness. It is also believed wing Cokanasiga, 21, is a certainty to make the plane to Japan if fit. Nowell, who damaged ankle ligaments in the Premiership final on June 1, was sent home from England’s Treviso training camp yesterday for a ‘routine surgical review of his ankle’ and will continue his rehabilitation. Squads do not have to be finalised with World Rugby until September 2, but England name theirs on August 12. Nowell, who has 33 caps, should be fit for England’s final warm-up fixture against Italy in Newcastle on September 6. England fly to Japan two days later before their opening match against Tonga on September 22. Cokanasiga has seemingly shown enough in his four caps to justify a place. ENGLAND moved down to fifth in the world rankings, with South Africa up to fourth after their 16-16 draw with New
Zealand.