England Roster in Search of 2-0 Series Win in Argentina

England have named a roster in search of a 2-0 series win in Argentina. The Eddie Jones coached team will be led by regular captain, Dylan Hartley. The Northampton Saints hooker will lead a side featuring a mix of regulars and new faces.

The two match series will see test matches played in San Juan and Santa Fé. Neither city has ever hosted a match involving England. The first test is to be played at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario on June 10 and the second at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez seven days later.

Regulars
First choice fly half and fullback George Ford and Mike Brown will both serve as vice-captains on the tour. They will have a wealth of experience supporting them from fellow backs Danny Care, George Ford and Jonny May.

In the pack there are also regular faces. These include former captain Chris Robshaw and fellow flankers, James Haskell and Tom Wood. Joe Launchbury is also vastly experienced with 42 caps.

New Blood
Of the 31 players 15 are uncapped. New blood in the pack includes props Will Collier and Harry Williams, second-rower Nick Isiekwe and back-rowers Sam Underhill, Ben Curry and Tom Curry. The Curry brothers both play for the Sale Sharks. Underhill is American. born in Ohio. He has prior experience playing for England at 20 level. He can now not play for the Eagles.

Jones has additional new blood in the back. Exeter scrum half Jack Maunder has received his first  selection as has fly half Piers Francis, a player with Super Rugby experience in New Zealand. Saracens reserve fly half, Alex Lozowski has also been included as have centers Harry Mallinder, Joe Marchant and Sam James (Sale Sharks).

Three uncapped wingers complete the selection. They are the Fijian born Joe Cokanasiga, Nathan Earle of Saracens and former Samoan rugby league player, Denny Solomona. Among those to miss out is St. Lucia flier Marland Yarde.

Avaliability
In making the announcement, Jones declared “We have picked the best squad we have available and we are looking forward to going to Argentina and winning 2-0.”

Jones is without the services of flanker Jack Clifford (Harlequins). He and  Sam Jones (Wasps), who is uncapped, have been listed by the RFU are missing to injury.

An additional 16 players have been selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand. They are Dan Cole, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Joseph, Jack Nowell, Ben Te’o, Anthony Watson and Ben Youngs.