Get Newsletter

Jones brings in former 'Canes fullback for SA Tour

The updated 34-man squad has convened at Pennyhill Park on Tuesday to begin their final preparations before flying to South Africa on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

There are three changes to the squad. Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps) and Jason Woodward (Gloucester) are included following the withdrawal of Cameron Redpath (knee), Ben Te’o (small repair to quad muscle) and Jack Willis (knee).

Woodward previously played for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. He also previously played for the Melbourne Rebels and Bristol.

Jones brings in former 'Canes fullback for SA Tour

England last won a match in South Africa in 2000 and were disappointing in a 45-53 defeat to the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.

But head coach Jones, a former Springboks assistant who guided Japan to a stunning upset of the traditional powerhouse at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, believes his inside knowledge can make the difference.

“I probably understand the South African rugby psyche, as well as anyone, having had experiences there,” he said. “And I know what they are going to be like when they play England.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There are certain cultural issues between the two countries that provide great motivation for the South Africans.

“You have to be able to exploit that and use it in a positive way.

“How can you use their dislike of the English to create an opportunity for yourself because you know [in the first Test] at Ellis Park they will be unbelievably passionate and aggressive for the first 20 minutes.

“That creates opportunities for us. We have to be good enough to understand those opportunities and execute them.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Following the first Test on June 9, the teams meet in Bloemfontein on June 16 and Cape Town seven days later.

Revised England squad for South Africa Tour: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ben Earl (Saracens), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Dan Robson (Wasps), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/ Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle), Jason Woodward (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Not available for selection: Danny Care (Harlequins), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Alex Lewington (London Irish), Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Beno Obano (Bath), Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Sam Underhill (Bath), Anthony Watson (Bath), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Jack Willis (Wasps).

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment