Eddie Jones will today confirm a cull of leading players from the England rugby squad which failed to qualify for the knockout stages of last year’s home World Cup.
The Australian, who succeeded Stuart Lancaster as national coach, has opted for a shake-up just weeks after taking charge.
Lancaster’s captain, Chris Robshaw, will retain his place in the squad of 33 to be revealed at Twickenham, but Tom Wood, Brad Barritt, Geoff Parling and Ben Morgan are expected to be among many prominent casualties.
Luther Burrell, who was controversially left out of the World Cup to make way for Sam Burgess, is set to be overlooked, and Danny Cipriani has again missed out despite fine form for Sale.
Jones has chosen to recall Dylan Hartley and Manu Tuilagi from disciplinary exile, and there could be seven uncapped players named today: Josh Beaumont, Jack Clifford, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Will Fraser, Paul Hill and Maro Itoje. – Daily Mail