Cockerill's England squad update zeroes in on hooker situation

England assistant Richard Cockerill has given his assessment of how Eddie Jones’ squad have fared in the early part of their Autumn Nations Series preparations in Jersey, including the intriguing battle for selection at hooker. With the squad midway through their five-day camp on the Channel Island, the forwards coach was wheeled out to give an update via a Zoom media conference.

Luke Cowan-Dickie, who is expected to be the first-choice hooker with Jamie George unavailable through injury, arrived into camp carrying a knock to his knee sustained in last Saturday’s Exeter defeat by Saracens.

With 37 England caps and three more for the 2021 British and Irish Lions, the 29-year-old Cowan-Dickie has way more experience than his in-camp rivals for the No2 jersey, the 26-year twice-capped Jack Singleton from Gloucester and the uncapped 29-year-old George McGuigan from Newcastle.

This deficit in experience could be a worry for the England pack if they had to go into their series versus Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa without Cowan-Dickie available for selection, but Cockerill reported on Wednesday that the Chiefs front-rower is on the mend.

“Luke took part in some units this morning so as far as I am aware it [the injury] is settling well and there is every chance that he will train fully next week,” he said.

Switching to his impression of Singleton and McGuigan in the England set-up, Cockerill added: “I have been very impressed with both of them. Both play in forward packs that are very good at set-piece both at scrum and lineout. They fit that mould for us very, very well. They have been in and around the squad previously and they are working very hard to take the opportunity if the opportunity comes.

“We have got some quality hookers in and around the England squad. Obviously, there are some injury concerns with the guys that have been the favoured ones previously but as you can imagine they [Singleton/McGuigan] are working very hard so that if the opportunity arises they are ready to take it.”

Cockerill didn’t have an update on how Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell, the squad’s leading candidates to skipper England in November, are faring with their recoveries from concussions at their respective homes in Northampton and London.

“They are still going through the normal protocols and we don’t have any more news on that. They are just going through their normal process and if they are right they will come into the squad, and if they are not we will do everything we can to make sure they are fully recovered before they come back in.”

England arrived in Jersey on Monday having made a number of alterations to the squad originally named on October 17 by Jones. Those changes included the selection of uncapped Sale winger Tom Roebuck and Cockerill explained the initial few days in camp were about getting everyone up to speed as quickly as possible.

“The first couple of days is just about integrating into the squad,” he said. “We have had some activities and some team building and getting to know each other and getting that togetherness for the squad. Everybody has settled in well. Excited to be looking forward to the Autumn Nations Series. Great location, Jersey. Lots of guys are experiencing it for the first time as well, so all good."