Jones likens Wood to Samson as Northampton captain’s international career is resurrected

Eddie Jones has compared Tom Wood to Samson after recalling the Northampton flanker for England’s autumn series.

Wood makes his first appearance in a national squad since being jettisoned after last year’s failed World Cup, profiting from the injury crisis that has seen six players ruled out of contention at openside. The 29-yearold’s international career appeared to be over after revealing in January that Jones had told him he was “distinctly average”.

But Jones has revised his opinion of the Northampton captain due to his recent form and jokes that his resurrection has coincided with the hirsute makeover that evokes the image of Samson, the Biblical figure whose power was tied to his hair.

“It might be the long hair and the beard. He might be like Samson – gets stronger with the long hair and the beard,” Jones said.

“I’ve been really impressed with his workrate. I’ve been in contact with him to do certain things and he’s done that. He’ll certainly be in contention.”

While Wood is an option at openside, Jones hinted that it is his Northampton teammate, Teimana Harrison, who is arguing the most convincing case for selection.

James haskell, jack clifford, Sam Jones, Mike Williams and Maro Itoje have been removed from contention, leaving England to examine their sixth-choice options in a position that has been problematic since the breakup of the 2003 World Cupwinning team.

Harrison was replaced 31 minutes into the third Test against Australia in June for failing to bring enough physicality to the back row and Jones last month appeared to remove him from contention, stating he is unsuitable at this stage in his career, but he has since been encouraged by his recent revival at Saints.

“I was very impressed with Harrison last week. In a Northampton side that didn’t do so well, that was the best performance I’ve seen from a number seven in a Premiership team,” he said.

Chris Robshaw could be reinstated at seven, but blindside flanker is still viewed as his most natural home. “It’s always an option, but he’s still got that six-and-a-half jersey tucked away,” Jones said.