Eddie Jones hails steep contest for places after naming Englands autumn squad

The next phase of England's future looks all the clearer after Eddie Jones announced his 34-man squad for the autumn international fixtures against Tonga, Australia and South Africa.

Marcus Smith has been named among the selection alongside Owen Farrell, with the former being touted as the fly-half of the future while the latter could be set for a move to inside centre.

That's left no room for George Ford in the squad despite his performances leading Leicester Tigers to the top of the Premiership this season.

Vunipola brothers Billy and Mako have also missed out on selection, having both been omitted from Jones' plans for a 45-man training camp in late September.

Saracens team-mates Jamie George and Elliot Daly—both of whom travelled with the British and Irish Lions to South Africa—have also been left on the fringes after failing to feature among that group.

It's testament to the quality at England's disposal that they can afford to leave out such a talented crop, and Jones called this one of the toughest squads he's had to pick in almost 30 years of coaching.

“This is a young but very good, talented squad who have all earned their places. It is one of the most competitive squads I have ever picked,” said Jones as he announced his squad on Monday.

“There are a number of disappointed players who haven’t been selected, but they know what they need to do and no door is closed to any player.

“We’re looking forward to three tough Test matches. Tonga always play a strong, physical game and Australia and South Africa have had extended periods together and will be a good challenge for us.

“Our aim each week will be to get better and better as we work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2023.”

Which absentee would you have liked to see in Eddie Jones' England squad for November? Let us know in the comments section.

After omitting Billy Vunipola from his plans in September, Jones said the senior absences were nothing to so with age, insisting he wanted the player to "find the best version of himself."

Those comments would suggest that after a year playing in the Championship, certain Saracens stars face a fight to win their way back into England's plans, but the door may not be shut.

That being said, there are now others in the selection pool who have a head start on those left behind, and the Red Rose could soon have a very different look as a new coaching team pushes the reset button.

England have a little less than two years to prepare for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, by which point many England fans will want to see Smith and Farrell accustomed to working as a pair.

The Harlequins starlet is used to working with a more characteristic 12 in club team-mate Andre Esterhuizen, posing some doubt as to whether he'd be as effective with Farrell alongside him.

An under-strength Tonga should provide the perfect preparation to give less experienced players a chance to settle, but the level of competition will rise significantly for Tests against Australia (Nov. 13) and South Africa (Nov. 20).

Smith, 22, famously helped Harlequins end their nine-year wait for a Premiership crown last season, making his England debut in July just before he was called up for the British and Irish Lions as injury cover.

Jones has included four uncapped players, with Nic Dolly, Tommy Freeman, Mark Atkinson and Raffi Quirke each hoping to make their first Test appearances next month.

Australia-born Dolly, 22, has exploded onto the scene and taken his opportunity with both hands as Leicester's starting hooker at the start of this season, scoring four tries in as many Premiership appearances.

Gloucester coach George Skivington recently backed centre Mark Atkinson to star for England despite receiving his first call-up at 31.

Another somewhat surprising ingredient in the midfield melting pot is Manu Tuilagi, the Sale Sharks centre who has remodelled his game as he pursues a first Test cap since March 2020.

Loosehead prop Ellis Genge and flanker Lewis Ludlam are each looking to cement their places after being promoted to full-time captaincy roles at respective clubs Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints.

The Red Rose will welcome Tonga to Twickenham in the first stop on their autumn schedule, but fans will await the fixtures against Australia and South Africa in equal parts fascination and fear.

England's 34-man autumn squad

FORWARDS

Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)

Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 33 caps)

Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

Nic Dolly (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 1 cap)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 30 caps)

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 48 caps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 87 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)

Joe Marler (Harlequins, 72 caps)

George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)

BACKS

Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)

Max Malins (Saracens, 8 caps)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 66 caps)

Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, uncapped)

Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)

Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 40 caps)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 2 caps)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)

Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 43 caps)

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 51 caps)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 109 caps)

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