BRISTOL’S RANDALL IS GIVEN ENGLAND CALL-UP

BRISTOL Bears scrum-half Harry Randall and Wasps finisher Paolo Odogwu have both been named in England’s 28-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

Odogwu has been in rampaging form for Wasps, topping the stats charts for clean line breaks and most metres made, while Randall has been a dynamo for top of the Gallagher Premiership side Bristol.

Bath Rugby prop Beno Obano is the third uncapped player in the Red Rose squad.

Notable omissions, however, are Wasps flanker Jack Willis and Bath back Jonathan Joseph, who are named in a 12-man shadow squad.

“This is a really tough squad to pick, and I know there are a lot of disappointed players,” said head coach Eddie Jones.

Bristol prop Kyle Sinckler, who is banned for the opener against Scotland, is not included. He can be picked once he serves his ban.

England’s Six Nations squad – Backs: E Daly, O Farrell (both Saracens), G Ford (Leicester), O Lawrence (Worcester), M Malins (Bristol), J May (Gloucester), P Odogwu (Wasps), H Randall (Bristol), D Robson (Wasps), H Slade (Exeter), A Watson (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester). Forwards: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), T Curry (Sale), B Earl (Bristol), E Genge (Leicester), J George (Saracens), J Hill (Exeter), M Itoje (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), B Obano, W Stuart, S Underhill (all Bath), B Vunipola (Saracens), H Williams (Exeter), M Wilson (Newcastle). Shadow squad: C Atkinson (Wasps), A Crossdale (Saracens), T Dunn, C Ewels (both Bath), G Furbank (Northampton), J Heyes (Leicester), J Joseph (Bath), J Marchant (Harlequins), G Martin (Leicester), A Mitchell (Northampton), J Umaga, J Willis (both Wasps).

Semi-professional clubs will have no official competitive rugby this season after the National Clubs Association cancelled the proposed tournament planned for after the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Following a series of meetings involving all 48 clubs in the NCA, there was unanimous agreement that there would be insufficient time to stage such a competition, given the continued uncertainty over if and when training and playing will be allowed. Clubs will be free to arrange friendlies as and when restrictions are lifted, with some planning mini-tournaments with local rivals in April and May.