Eddie Jones gives update on Daly's absence from England squad to face Barbarians

Eddie Jones has issued an update on why Elliot Daly has been omitted from the 32-man England training squad for Sunday’s clash with the Barbarians. The Saracens back was part of last week's three-day 26-man camp but wasn't chosen in this week's match week squad. 

No reason was initially given by the Rugby Football Union for the absence of Daly when the England squad was announced via email at 10am on Tuesday morning. However, Jones provided a lunchtime update on what had gone on. “Elliot has had a bump on his leg – I was speaking to him this morning – for a good period of time,” said Jones.

“It hasn’t really worried him and he has been able to train. We’re not sure what is wrong so we are going to get some tests done and we’ll wait and see what the answer is.

“I’d rather not say which part of his leg, let’s just wait and see. We’ll do all the various tests and he will see a consultant and then we’ll have a pretty good idea of where he’s at.”

While Daily won't play any part in the curtain-raiser to England’s autumn schedule, Piers Francis is back having recovered from coronavirus.

Francis was picked in Jones’ first squad since the Six Nations earlier this month but was forced to withdraw and self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 as a result of playing Sale on September 29.

Tom de Glanville’s hopes of making his England debut in the non-cap international at Twickenham have been dashed following his omission from the 32 who will gather at their training base in south-west London.

“This is an important game for us and we’re looking forward to getting back to Twickenham and playing rugby,” Jones said.

“We’ve had two really good camps, going back to basics and how we want to play. The Barbarians squad has a rich blend of talent, so this week we’ll be testing ourselves under pressure and looking to take our game to the next level.”

ENGLAND SQUAD (v Barbarians)

Backs: A Crossdale (Saracens), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), P Francis (Northampton Saints), G Furbank (Northampton Saints), W Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), O Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), J Marchant (Harlequins), J May (Gloucester Rugby), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), O Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), A Watson (Bath Rugby), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards: T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), T Dunn (Bath Rugby), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Worcester Warriors), M Itoje (Saracens), A Moon (Northampton Saints), B Obano (Bath Rugby), D Ribbans (Northampton Saints), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), S Underhill (Bath Rugby), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), M Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).