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Billy Vunipola, Jack Nowell and Jonny May are sacked as new head coach Steve Borthwick names his first England team for the Six Nations in February… but Dan Cole, Elliot Daly and Ben Earl are back
- Billy Vunipola has been left out of Steve Borthwick’s England Six Nations squad
- Wingers Jonny May and Jack Nowell are among the other players who will miss out.
- Veteran mainstay Dan Cole, Elliot Daly and Ben Earl have returned
- It is former Leicester boss Borthwick’s first team as head coach of the Red Rose.
- Owen Farrell was named captain; Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes vice-captains
Billy Vunipola has been left out of Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the Six Nations, as have experienced wings Jack Nowell and Jonny May, as Owen Farrell was named captain.
Unsurprisingly, veteran Leicester prop Dan Cole was called up at the age of 35 and is destined to play for his country again more than three years after winning his last cap, in the World Cup final. World of 2019.
Elliot Daly has also been selected after his impressive hat-trick for the Saracens against Lyon two days ago. The utility backing has been out of favor since the end of the Six Nations last year.
Billy Vunipola (above) has been left out of Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the Six Nations
Seasoned wingers Jonny May (left) and Jack Nowell (right) also didn’t make the cut.
Owen Farrell (right) has been named captain; Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes vice-captains
Borthwick said: ‘This is an exciting team, with a mix of Six Nations experience and young talent, and includes players who are in excellent form in the Premiership.
‘We are all looking forward to the challenges of the Six Nations and we will approach this great tournament in a spirit of courage and full commitment. I know the players are looking forward to getting back to Twickenham and giving our fans a performance they can be proud of. The hard work for the Scotland game begins now.’
Saracens running back Farrell will skipper, with prop Ellis Genge and forward Courtney Lawes serving as vice-captains.
Mako Vunipola has made the cut, but not his younger brother, who had fought his way back to the Red Rose No 8 jersey last summer.
Former Leicester boss Borthwick named his first team as Red Rose head coach on Monday
Unsurprisingly, veteran Tigers mainstay Dan Cole (pictured) is back in the setup
At 30, Billy may find it difficult to reestablish himself under the new regime, in the nine months leading up to the World Cup in France. In his absence, Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt will compete to line up at the base of the scrum.
Nowell had been an integral figure during Eddie Jones’s tenure, whenever he was fit, so his demotion is significant. May has also been left out as Borthwick has gone for younger options in Tommy Freeman, Max Malins and Cadan Murley and Ollie Hassell-Collins.
Sale had hoped George Ford would be named in the squad today despite not playing for them since his summer transfer from Leicester, due to an Achilles injury.
But the veteran fly half has been omitted for now, with Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith and Northampton rookie Fin Smith making up the 10 picks.
The injured George Ford has been omitted for now with 20-year-old Fin Smith of Northampton including
Midfield will be an area of selection intrigue once again and a new contender has emerged alongside the familiar figure of Manu Tuilagi.
The call-up of Dan Kelly from Leicester was anticipated, given his breakthrough exploits while Borthwick was in charge of the Tigers. He will compete for a center spot, as will Daly and the retired Joe Marchant.
Saracens winger Ben Earl has been listed as a reward for his excellent form at the club, as has Ben Curry.
His twin brother and England pack stalwart Tom is out with a hamstring injury and the setback has opened the door for his brother who has won just one cap to date. Jack Willis, now in Toulouse, is the other specialist wide-open side on the team.