An alternative England XV: We pick a team of players unlucky to miss out…
Top 10s/ListsThursday, 18 October 2018 at 15:38
Here is our alternative England XV made up of players who were unlucky to miss out on Eddie Jones’ squad for the Autumn Internationals.
15. Jason Woodward (Gloucester)
A revelation for Gloucester last season, Woodward combines fast feet with a cool playmaking head to give defenders nightmares week-in-week-out. The former Hurricanes star has been tearing up the Premiership again this season and has been treating the Kingsholm faithful to some pretty sensational trickery from fullback.
14. Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby
Rokoduguni, a Lance Corporal and reconnaissance tank soldier of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in the British Army, is a popular winger who can score a try out of nowhere but has struggled to force himself into Eddie Jones' plans down the years. He's without a doubt good enough to play international rugby but if he'll ever get another chance under Jones is the real question.
13. Joel Marchant (Harlequins)
Marchant is one of the most exciting young centres in the country. The 22-year-old is in such good form at the moment and is very unlucky to miss out.
12. Johnny Williams (Newcastle Falcons)
Despite Newcastle's struggles so far this season, Williams has impressed the Falcons faithful with some wonderful breaks and offloads, scoring three tries so far. He could have added a more direct option to England's very samey midfield.
11. Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
A former top level rugby league player, Denny Solomona completed a three-year qualification period for England at the end of March 2017. When chosen for that summer’s tour of Argentina he had scored 11 tries in 13 games for Sale Sharks in his first season with the club, including nine in ten Premiership matches.
With a fine sense of occasion – and timing – he scored England’s match-winning try following a 50-metre sprint in the final minute of the first Test against Argentina at San Juan.
10. Danny Cipriani (Gloucester)
The 30-year-old was challenged to improve his form in the Gallagher Premiership by head coach Eddie Jones – despite being named their player of the month for September. But Jones is clearly still not convinced and has refused to pick the playmaker once more.
9. Ben Spencer (Saracens)
The playmaker has an eye for the try line and accuracy from the boot which has helped form a fine reputation across the country. The 26-year-old's maiden international call-up to England’s tour of South Africa in June 2018 is an indication of his progress, meaning he was unfortunate to miss out this time around.
1. Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby)
After rising through the ranks of the Bath Rugby Academy, Nathan Catt made the step up to the first team squad in 2008. However, despite being a regular for Bath, he is yet to win an England cap although the loosehead was once called up by Jones back in January 2017.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4. Ed Slater (Gloucester Rugby)
5. Calum Green (Newcastle Falcons)
Green has the most line-out wins in the Premiership so far. A rock for Dean Richards, he also hits things hard and carries well. A very underrated player.
6. Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs)
Nominated for Premiership Player of the Year last season, he is the helmsman of the Exeter driving maul, and he is a great rugby player. He should be in the squad.
7. James Haskell (Northampton Saints)
8. Jono Ross (Sale Sharks)
He is a sensationally-tough ball carrier with real variety, he can win you an inch in the dogfight or play out wide in the 15-metre channels. He has great hands, is a top line-out athlete and tackles anything, topping the tackle count in the league with 108.
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