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Haskell out but Simmonds in as Jones names autumn squad

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James Haskell misses out but Sam Simmonds has been included in Eddie Jones’ squad for England’s three autumn internationals.

James Haskell misses out but Sam Simmonds has been included in Eddie Jones’ squad for England’s three autumn internationals.

The reigning Six Nations champions will play Argentina, Australia and Samoa on consecutive Saturdays next month as they bid to continue their unbeaten run at Twickenham under Jones.

The previously uncapped Simmonds, 22, is rewarded for his fine start to the season with Exeter Chiefs and is included in the back row.

While the 32-year-old Haskell, England’s man of the series in Australia in 2016 and a British & Irish Lion this past summer, is excluded.

With the likes of Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler suspended, Harry Williams and Matt Mullan are included in the front row while in the back three Denny Solomona is handed a reprieve.

Jonathan Joseph is also included despite missing out on the last training squad while all eight of England’s available Test Lions from New Zealand (Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola and Courtney Lawes) are included but Ben Te’o is injured.

And Jones cannot wait for his side to get their autumn campaign underway, starting against the Pumas on November 11.

“Our first match against Argentina in the Old Mutual Wealth Series is a significant game for England and everything we have been doing in our training camps so far this season has been geared around getting the detail right in our preparation on how we want to play and win against them next month,” he said.

“This will be the fourth time we have played against Argentina in the last 12 months and the last time we play them before 2019, so we want to make sure our record against them is 4-0.”

Jones has also included 18-year-old Marcus Smith (Harlequins) and 20-year-old Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) as apprentices in the England squad. Both players won’t be named in match day squads but will be involved in England’s training and preparation for the three-match series.      Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins) Elliot Daly (Wasps) Jonny May (Leicester Tigers) Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) Danny Care (Harlequins) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Leicester Tigers) Piers Francis (Northampton Saints) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) Alex Lozowski (Saracens) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) Marcus Smith (Harlequins) * Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)   Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby) Nathan Hughes (Wasps) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) * Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers) Jamie George (Saracens) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) Matt Mullan (Wasps) Mako Vunipola (Saracens) Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)    *Apprentice players