Set for debut: Billy Twelvetrees
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England have included uncapped Gloucester centre Billy Twelvetrees in their 23-man squad for the Six Nations opener with Scotland on Saturday.
With Manu Tuilagi out injured, 24-year-old Twelvetrees has been preferred to London Irish outside centre Jonathan Joseph, who has been sent back to his club.
Saracens wing David Strettle has also been included, but there is no place in the squad for Northampton full-back Ben Foden.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster will confirm his starting XV on Thursday.
Mouritz Botha, who has revealed he is heading to New York "for the rest of the week", Thomas Waldrom, Lee Dickson, Billy Vunipola, Ugo Monye, Henry Thomas and Matt Kvesic were the other players released
"We've had to make some tough calls with a lot of competition for places," Lancaster.
"The players' attitude and application in training has been first rate and we know those going back to their clubs and playing in the LV= Cup will be pushing hard for contention for the Ireland match."
England squad:
Forwards (13): Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Ben Morgan, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Tom Wood, Tom Youngs,
Backs (10): Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Mike Brown, Danny Care, Owen Farrell, Toby Flood, Alex Goode, David Strettle, Billy Twelvetrees, Ben Youngs.
Players released: Mouritz Botha, Lee Dickson, Ben Foden, Jonathan Joseph, Matt Kvesic, Ugo Monye, Henry Thomas, Billy Vunipola, Thomas Waldrom
Comments
melkdave says...
Echo others in perfering JJ to be in the 23 rather than Stretlle.Its not as if his a realy effective winger either,Varndal.Wade.Sharples,.Biggs,all are better wingersi imo.Apart from that,i see nothing wrong with the side.Its fairly settled squad now ,and players should know whars expected of them.Anyway lets hope England can get back to scoring 30-40 points a game,as they did in 2001-02 iirc.I think we have the quality players available or coming though atm ,to achive it,but then again maybe a season to soon to hope for it.
Posted 05:57 30th January 2013
Sixsevenoreight says...
Shocking how could they not pick Joseph the only 13 in the squad following tuilagi injury. Means that Farrell or barritt will be 13 both having no pace.
Posted 22:11 29th January 2013
TVaddict says...
Strettle! Strettle! Strettle! No matter how matter how many times I type it I can't believe it. The least effective winger in the whole league and he's on the bench! Jesus, I think I'd prefer to put Cueto on the wing again rather than Strettle! At least he's a solid defender, kicker and a rock under the high ball. What are they thinking?!
So harsh on JJ to not only to not get promoted to the test XV but to also lose his place to Strettle! He must be considering a French pay check now considering that kind of insult. He is probably the best utility back in the country, has experience of playing at 13, 11, 14, and 15 and doing well in all positions. He's got a solid defence, fantastic pace, and great step and distributes well. So what do we do, resign him to the bench when we have under performing players like Ashton being given chance after chance. What would rub the salt into the wound? That's right, losing your position to the winger who doesn't cover as many positions as you, is weaker in defence and under the high ball, and who hardly ever scores tries! This is the biggest mistake of Lancaster reign so far.
Other than that there is nothing unexpected and fair enough. Can't make too many changes to a successful team. Hopefully the same XV will start except for injuries, with Twelvetrees at 12 and Barritt at 13.
Posted 22:06 29th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Given the shocking ruling out of a real 13 the best damage limiting solution (they probably wont be planning) is... Strettle start at 13. Then everyone else remains where they are and 12trees on bench if Strettle leaks like a sieve. It's not even a worthwhile experiment. Strettle has looked good vs Scotland before. He's not defensively an international. It's like the Balahaw episode again. Learning the lessons SCW went through again. Grr
Posted 22:02 29th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Foden out! Strettle in! Comments will come rushing in. Knew he was leaning towards Stretttle with his comments this week. Darn it! Tries for Scotland. The worst thing about this is he's going to play someone out of position at 13 when this was JJs chance till Manu returns. instead they mix up more than they need. Hopefully 12trees at 12, Barritt 13 to avoid Farrell at 13. Or Flood at 12. This was my biggest fear, unsettling the backs. Damn!!! This is not the Saxons!!!
Posted 21:51 29th January 2013