Jonathan Joseph is among four British and Irish Lions dropped for England’s latest training camp, with Eddie Jones confirming that form influenced his decision.
Joseph, George Kruis, Kyle Sinckler and James Haskell toured New Zealand during the summer as part of Warren Gatland’s squad but are missing from the 33 players picked for a three-day gathering in Oxford ahead of the autumn series against Argentina, Australia and Samoa.
BREAKING | Eddie Jones names 33-man squad for three-day training camp ????
Full story: https://t.co/c0cDvhkl5y pic.twitter.com/jKpkSQl0J3— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 22, 2017
Joseph has been a mainstay of England’s midfield since establishing himself as an international in 2015 and has missed only one of Jones’ 20 matches in charge, against Italy in this year’s RBS 6 Nations.
The 26-year-old Bath centre scored a hat-trick against Scotland at Twickenham in the same competition but having been unable to force his way into the Lions’ Test team, he has now been overlooked by Jones.
Kruis has endured an injury-hit start to the season after being struck by an ankle problem and Haskell has just returned from hand surgery, but Sinckler has been playing for Harlequins and his absence is unexpected.
"This camp is all about preparation for the Argentina game."
➡️ https://t.co/o38Ik6l0za pic.twitter.com/GyYvi4oxER— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 22, 2017
Jones warned against reading too much into his selection while conceding that some players had lost ground during the first three rounds of the Aviva Premiership.
“This is a training squad for Oxford and we will assess selection for Argentina farther down the track,” Jones said. “For each of the Lions players we will assess them and are chatting to their clubs, looking at their club form and looking at them mentally and physically to see what is best for them.
“If things change then there’s the possibility they could be in the squad for the Argentina game. Some guys need to work on their games. We’ve had those discussions with them.”
No. 2 on the #IBMTryTracker Key Influencer list of 2016…
BILLY VUNIPOLA ???? pic.twitter.com/O1PRnhhyFD— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 30, 2016
Jones refused to enter the furore stirred up this week by Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien over the quality of the Lions’ coaching team in New Zealand, even if discarding four of their players could be viewed as another setback for Gatland.
The Kiwi and his assistants have been defended by the Lions’ hierarchy but Billy Vunipola – who missed the tour because of a shoulder injury – added his voice to the debate by stating that the All Blacks would have lost 3-0 had Jones been at the helm.
“The Lions are a one off, it’s the magical mystery tour. Whatever comments were made about the Lions tour doesn’t concern us,” Jones said. “I don’t have an opinion on it. I’m not excited or dismayed by it. I’ll let it run its own course.
“There are about 500 people lined outside Waterstones at the moment trying to buy Billy’s book, so it’s been fantastic for him.”
PLAY OF THE WEEK ⭐@TomMay1 picks @piers_francis' 31st minute try as his stand-out passage of play from #ARGvENG: https://t.co/CSef5OLhvL pic.twitter.com/i3cSZ17XCx
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 18, 2017
Denny Solomona is absent after being reprimanded for the late night drinking session undertaken with Manu Tuilagi during the last England camp and there is still no place for in-form Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni.
Northampton playmaker Piers Francis is included after impressing during the summer tour to Argentina despite not having played this season because of a jaw injury and there is also room for uncapped Bath hooker Tom Dunn.