ENGLAND are firm favourites going into this year’s RBS 6 Nations championship – but Eddie Jones is determined to improve his side even more.
The Red Rose went undefeated in 2016, capping a wonderful year off with a superb 37-21 win over Australia at Twickenham and finishing the year off undefeated in 14 Tests.
That was a superb turnaround for a team who were knocked out of their own Rugby World Cup in the group stages.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest rugby union news, gossip and rumours plus 6 Nations fixtures, results and live match commentary
The problem for Jones and Co is that the World Cup in Japan is still 2½ years away - so another crack at the 6 Nations it is.
England 6 Nations fixtures
Sat, Feb 4 – England vs France – Twickenham, London – 4.50pm – ITV - REPORT
Sat, Feb 11 – Wales vs England – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 4.50pm – BBC - REPORT
Sun, Feb 26 – England vs Italy – Twickenham, London – 3pm – ITV
Sat, Mar 11 – England vs Scotland – Twickenham, London – 4pm – ITV
Sat, Mar 18 – Ireland vs England – Aviva Stadium, Dublin – 5pm – ITV
Who is in the England team to face Italy?
JAMES HASKELL makes his first start of the Six Nations against Italy as Ben Te’o is given his full England debut.
The two super-subs have been upgraded to starters under boss Eddie Jones for Sunday’s game at Twickenham.
England: Brown, May, Te'o, Farrell, Daly, Ford, Care, Marler, Hartley, Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Iroje, Haskell, Hughes.
Who is in the England 6 Nations squad?
FORWARDS
Front row
Nathan Catt
Dan Cole
Ellis Genge
Jamie George
Mat Mullan
Kyle Sinckler
Tommy Taylor
Paul Hill
Second row
Charlie Ewels
George Kruis
Joe Launchbury
Courtney Lawes
Back row
Jack Clifford
Teimana Harrison
Nathan Hughes
Joe Marler
Mike Williams
Tom Wood
BACKS
Half-backs
Danny Care
Alex Lozowski
Ben Youngs
Centres
Jonathan Joseph
Henry Slade
Ben Te'o
Wingers/Full-backs
Mike Brown
Elliot Daly
Jonny May
Jack Nowell
Anthony Watson
Marland Yarde
Who is the captain of the England 6 Nations squad?
Dylan Hartley is likely to return as captain after last season's victorious run to the Grand Slam.
But Hartley, 30, almost put his role in jeopardy earlier season when he stiff-arm tackled Leinster's Sean O'Brien in December.
The Northampton hooker was given a six-week ban but may even be rested by Eddie Jones for the opener against France due to a lack of match fitness and will have to be assessed, with the Red Rose chief confirming he has yet to decide if Hartley will retain the captaincy.
SunSport columnist Hartley was a contentious choice when he was given the role, with previous misdemeanours marring his reputation as one of rugby's 'bad boys.'
Related Articles
Who are the new faces in England's 6 Nations squad?
By Jonny Fordham
Nathan Catt
Loosehead prop, 29 (Bath)
PLAYED with Ben Youngs in the under-20s ranks - but has since only ever made it up to Saxons level for one cap against Portugal in 2009.
One-club man has played 98 times for Bath and will look to add some carrying-cover to England's injury-hit pack.
Jones said: "Catt's someone we've watched for a couple of seasons. I feel like his scrummaging has become a lot more consistent. He's quite a high work-rate player, very similar in mould to Matt Mullan. So he's another option in that high work-rate type loosehead."
Alex Lozowski
Fly-half/full-back, 23 (Saracens)
SON of England one-cap wonder Rob and a former Chelsea Academy star.
Last year Lozowksi junior couldn't buy a game for Wasps and was third-choice 10 - now he's Owen Farrell's deputy at Saracens and one of the Premiership's most-exciting breakthrough acts.
Jones said: "Lozowski has been the find of the Premiership. He plays well at 10, he plays well at 15, he's just got a good head for wanting to improve. So to have him in the squad as a back-up player where he can potentially play 10, 12 or 15 is a great bonus for us."
Mike Williams
Back-row, 25 (Leicester Tigers)
BORN and raised in Zimbabwe, but qualifies through his English grandfather.
A keen hunter and the son of a miner, the Tigers back-row is used to mauling his Premiership rivals and now has the chance to show it at Test level in the Six Nations.
Jones said: "We would have selected him last year in the squad, but he's had some injury problems. He hasn't played very well of late, so we're taking a bit of punt on him. But we feel like he's got the physique and the attitude to make it at Test rugby."
Who is injured for England?
Anthony Watson has picked up a hamstring injury and could be out for the first three to four weeks of the championship.
Both Mako and Billy Vunipola are notable absentees from Eddie Jones' squad, having been part of the Autumn internationals.
Meanwhile former Red Rose skipper Chris Robshaw has been ruled out for the start of the 6 Nations with a shoulder injury.
Leave a comment