Eddie Jones has selected exciting young full-back Henry Arundell in a 36-man training squad ahead of England’s fixture against the Barbarians and summer tour to Australia.
London Irish flyer Arundell, 19, lit up the Six Nations Under-20s for England this year and after scoring several spectacular tries for the Exiles, including one length-of-the-field effort in the Challenge Cup that went viral earlier this month, has received his first senior call-up.
Arundell is one of ten uncapped players selected, including club teammate Will Joseph, the younger brother of England centre Jonathan, with both involved in tonight’s Premiership Rugby Cup final against Worcester Warriors.
Head coach Jones said: “We’re going to use this camp as an opportunity to prepare a base game for the Barbarians fixture and for a really important Australia tour.
“We’ll focus on how we want to play, how we want to be as a team off the field and continue to develop the squad cohesiveness and behaviours.
“It is also 16 months to the World Cup and every minute counts. We want a hard-working and enjoyable environment for the players and make sure we are all on the same page. We are allowed a squad of 36 players, so it has been a balancing act.”
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After a busy season on the pitch, Jones has chosen to rest some of his more experienced stars but there is a return for OwenFarrell after he missed the Guinness Six Nations, where England finished third after recording two wins over Italy and Wales, through injury.
Farrell’s Saracens teammate Mako Vunipola is also recalled for the first time since the 2021 Guinness Six Nations.
Jones added: “We want to take a look at some younger players and prepare a base camp for the Barbarians game, particularly as we will be without the Premiership finalists, and also give some senior players a rest as we get to a crucial part of the season. These players will still be in contention for the Australia tour.”
England play the Barbarians on Sunday 19 June, the day after the Gallagher Premiership final, while the first of three Tests Down Under against the Wallabies takes place on Saturday 2 July in Perth.
England’s 36-man training squad
Forwards Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped) Jamie Blamire Ollie Chessum Tom Curry Nic Dolly (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap) Alex Dombrandt Charlie Ewels Ellis Genge Joe Heyes Maro Itoje Joe Launchbury Courtney Lawes Lewis Ludlam George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped) Tom Pearson (London Irish, uncapped) Bevan Rodd Will Stuart Sam Underhill Mako Vunipola Jack Willis
Backs Henry Arundell (London Irish, uncapped) Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Joe Cokanasiga Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Owen Farrell Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, uncapped) George Furbank Will Joseph (London Irish, uncapped) Louis Lynagh (Harlequins, uncapped) Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap) Harry Randall Marcus Smith Freddie Steward Manu Tuilagi Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, uncapped) Anthony Watson
