Willi Heinz and Piers Francis named in England squad for Wales clash

Head coach Eddie Jones has named a 33-man squad to meet at Pennyhill Park ahead of their Test against Wales on Sunday.

The pre-World Cup spectacle at Twickenham will be the first of four matches England will play before jetting off to Japan.

Uncapped Gloucester scrum-half Willi Heinz is one of two scrum-halves included, the other being 85-cap Ben Youngs.

Heinz is in a battle with Ben Spencer to act as deputy to the incumbent Youngs, after Danny Care was omitted from England’s official training squad.

Three other uncapped players will join Heinz in possibly experiencing international rugby for the first time.

Saracens hooker Jack Singleton, Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam and Bath wing Ruaridh McConnochie all stand a chance of facing the Six Nations Grand Slam champions.

Jones said: “We have worked hard and now move into a four-game preparation phase where the development of the team tactically is paramount. We are grateful for the strong opposition to test our game fitness.

“By the time we fly out on the 8th of September we will be ready to win the Rugby World Cup. We are not there yet but we have four games to get ready. 

“Players excluded from being involved in this camp are naturally disappointed but may get another opportunity so they must be ready.”

Those who were called up to the Treviso camp last month – Mike Brown, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Spencer and Ben Te’o – have not been given a place within the team, while injured Jack Nowell will continue his rehabilitation from ankle surgery with the England medical staff.

The match at Twickenham on Sunday will be followed by a return Test in Cardiff (11 August), the visit of Ireland (24 August) and a trip to Newcastle for a home Test against Italy (6 September) 16 days before England play their opening pool match of the World Cup.