EXCLUSIVE: Jones set to rest senior England players in July fixtures

Eddie Jones set to rest senior England players such as Ben Youngs and George Ford in July fixtures against USA and Canada and will instead promote a host of rookies including Marcus Smith ready for debuts

  • Eddie Jones is set to rest senior players and promote rookies for July’s fixtures
  • George Ford and Ben Youngs are among those expected to be given a break
  • With Ford being rested, Marcus Smith appears set to make his England debut
  • Jones may seek to galvanise Billy Vunipola or Kyle Sinckler with the captaincy 
  • Alternatively, the England head coach could turn to Bath flanker Sam Underhill

England will have a new captain and a revamped, youthful look this summer for their Tests against the USA and Canada at Twickenham.

Sportsmail understands that national coach Eddie Jones is likely to rest most of his senior players and promote a host of rookies for the July fixtures. 

Leading half-back pair Ben Youngs and George Ford are among those expected to be given a break, along with Jonny May. 

Eddie Jones is ready to rest most of his senior players and promote a host of rookies in July


George Ford (left) and Ben Youngs (right) are among those expected to be given a break

Youngs withdrew from contention for the Lions tour to spend more time with his family, while both Ford and May were overlooked by head coach Warren Gatland. 

Leicester playmaker Ford — England’s premier No 10 — would have been best-qualified to deputise as skipper in Owen Farrell’s absence. 

Yet, his anticipated absence from a 36-man squad to be named by Jones means that there will be a new leader.

Jones may seek to galvanise either Billy Vunipola (left) or Kyle Sinckler — both wounded by their Lions omission — by handing them the captaincy on an interim basis for the fixtures

Alternatively, the England head coach could turn to Bath flanker Sam Underhill (pictured)

Jones may seek to galvanise either Billy Vunipola or Kyle Sinckler — both wounded by their Lions omission — by handing them the captaincy on an interim basis, although either or both of them may be rested. Alternatively, the head coach could turn to Bath flanker Sam Underhill.

With Ford set to be rested, Harlequins fly-half prodigy Marcus Smith appears set to make his England debut. 

Elsewhere, Mike Brown’s Harlequins career is over after his appeal against a six-week ban for stamping was unsuccessful. 

Brown was sent off for standing on Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor on May 9.




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