Care and Vunipola set to return for Australia tour

Danny Care and Billy Vunipola moved in line for first capped appearances since November 2018 and March 2021 respectively, after they were named in the squad for England’s tour of Australia.

Care beat Ben Youngs to a place on the plane, with the Leicester scrum-half not named in the squad, whilst Vunipola likely comes in with the injury to fellow number eight Alex Dombrandt.

Meanwhile, eight uncapped players get their call in the 36-man squad, including Patrick Shickerling, Tommy Freeman and Jack Walker – who played in England’s non-capped defeat to the Barbarians on Sunday – whilst London Irish pair Henry Arundell and Will Joseph, Leicester Tigers duo Guy Porter and Jack van Poortvliet, and Fraser Dingwall of the Northampton Saints also make the cut.

England head coach Eddie Jones said: “Though we have nine players unavailable due to injury, we have picked a very strong squad capable of winning the series. This squad is a real mix of young, talented players and some very experienced, senior players and we’re looking forward to bring the group together.

“This tour will be a great experience for the group and a crucial part of the team’s work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2023. We will continue to develop the base of the squad and how we want to play.

“We’ve put a lot of work into preparation for the tour over the past few weeks but now the hard work really begins when we finally get the squad on the plane and to Australia.”

Much of the mix of youth and experience referred to by Jones has been forced by a number of injuries to key players for England, with Dombrandt and Manu Tuilagi sidelined with knee problems and back three players Louis Lynagh, George Furbank and Anthony Watson all out with calf issues.

On top of that Exeter pair Henry Slade (shoulder) and Sam Simmonds (hip) are missing, Kyle Sinckler is away with a back injury, and George Ford is nursing an ankle problem sustained in the early stages of Saturday’s Premiership Final.

Jones will be hoping for a happy return to the country he used to coach between 2001-2005, where he also reached the final of their home World Cup in 2003, and visited for a 3-0 series triumph in his first summer tour with England back in 2016.

England squad:

Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Patrick Schickerling (Exeter Chiefs), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Walker (Harlequins), Jack Willis (Wasps).

Backs: Henry Arundell (London Irish), Danny Care (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Will Joseph (London Irish), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

Hopefully England will find success on their travels and if you’re hoping for your own success you might be able to on this page.