England trim squad for Wales test

Eddie Jones has named a 33-man squad to prepare for Sunday’s test against Wales at Twickenham. The England supremo has cut four players from the group that trained last week – loose forward Alex Dombrandt, scrumhalf Ben Spencer, midfielder Ben Te’o, and fullback Mike Brown.

Included in the group are five uncapped players. Worcester hooker Jack Singleton, Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam, Gloucester scrumhalf Willi Heinz, Harlequins center Joe Marchant, and Bath outside back Ruaridh McConnochie could all make their test debuts this weekend.

As expected there is no place for mercurial Gloucester flyhalf Danny Cipriani, but it’s the inclusion of Heinz that has drawn the most criticism from pundits. The 32-year-old New Zealander has been a surprise choice by Jones ahead of Saracens starter Spencer and Wasps standout Dan Robson among others.

England will play a return match against Wales in Cardiff on August 17, followed by a home match against Ireland in London on August 24. A final warm-up match against Italy will take place in Newcastle on September 6 before departure to Japan.

Argentina and the USA will be competing alongside England in Pool C at the World Cup, with France and Tonga rounding out the group.

FORWARDS
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Sam Underhill (Bath), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

BACKS
Willi Heinz (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Joe Cokanasiga (Saracens), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath), Anthony Watson (Bath)