Jones wields the axe as he calls up rookies

EDDIE JONES has called up eight uncapped players — including Harlequins starlet Louis Lynagh — and ditched a whole host of senior stars for his England training squad next week.

George Ford and Billy Vunipola, both of whom were rested for the summer’s Tests against the USA and Canada, are among the veterans who will be absent from a 45-man group for a short training camp in Teddington that begins on Sunday.

There is also no place for Jamie George and Mako Vunipola, who were on this summer’s Lions tour.

Jones insisted the door is not closed for the senior figures but that halfway through the World Cup cycle it was time to “draw a line in the sand” and refresh the squad.

“We are now selecting with the World Cup in mind and some of the experienced players we have left out, we feel this is a good time for them to refresh and get ready to challenge again for a spot,” said Jones.

“We are building the team towards the World Cup, where you want to have a nice balance of experienced players and young, fresh, enthusiastic players who can add to the squad.”

Jones said he had a “very uncomfortable” day yesterday, informing players they had been left out.

“For those players the door’s not closed, it’s just an opportunity for them

to refresh and refocus,” he said. “We’re coming off the back of what has been two difficult seasons for the players and some went on a Lions tour so we just think there’s an opportunity for them to refocus and then challenge again.

“When they are at their best, they are going to be in strong contention. There are a lot of good, young players coming through so the competition is hot. They [the players left out] haven’t been at their best, so we are giving them the opportunity to find their best.”

Elliot Daly is also absent, as he recovers from surgery on a long-standing stress fracture.

A number of senior players are back after the Lions and a period of rest, however. Veterans Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Jonny May and Ben Youngs are all selected. Lions star Sam Simmonds receives his first England call-up since 2018.

Lynagh, the 20-year-old son of Wallabies legend Michael, has burst onto the scene in Harlequins’ march to the Premiership title and scored twice in the opening game of the defence at Newcastle. His selection is an important one as he is eligible for both Italy and Australia, who would no doubt have come calling before long.

“He’s had a string of solid performances now,” said Jones. “Based on his performances for Harlequins, he deserves to be looked at, so we will look at him.”

Jones handed out 16 new caps in the summer Tests, and nine of those players are selected, including Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt and the Leicester full-back Freddie Steward. He has found space for eight further uncapped players, including Quins’ flanker Jack Kenningham and hooker Sam Riley. Sale’s Bevan Rodd and Raffi Quirke are intriguing selections, too.

As well as blending new players, the camp will be Jones’s first opportunity to work with a refreshed coaching group, including Richard Cockerill, Martin Gleeson and Anthony Seibold.