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'I'm seeing Eddie later': Gloucester react to England squad snub
By Chris Jones
Gloucester boss George Skivington has revealed his disappointment at seeing his players snubbed from the latest England squad and he will be seeking an explanation when he meets with Eddie Jones later this week. Ten clubs were represented in the squad of 36 named for a training camp from next Sunday in London, leaving Gloucester, Exeter and Worcester without involvement.
Besides asking why recent squad inclusion Mark Atkinson, Lewis Ludlow, last July’s Summer Series England captain, Ruan Ackermann, Ollie Thorley and Jack Singleton are not needed, Skivington will also tell Jones that Jonny May is fit again after recovering from knee surgery.
Gloucester’s lack of England recognition is made even tougher to take as the Bath team they recently beat 64-0 in the league have six players chosen in Jones’ training squad that will begin preparations for the June 19 Twickenham match versus the Barbarians and then the three-Test tour in Australia.
“Obviously, I am disappointed no one is in there and I am seeing Eddie later in the week,” said Skivington at his Gloucester media briefing in advance of their trip to English rugby HQ next Saturday to take on defending champions Harlequins.
“I will find out who is near and who is not but there are a few young lads in the squad and Eddie will have his plan. What I will say is that things change quickly and quite a few lads are on the edge and there is time to still get on the plane. They won’t lose faith.
“I presume Eddie goes around the clubs every few months and will fill us in on where everyone stands and who he is looking at. I think the guys on the periphery get a call from him like Lewis to say what is what. If there is any issue or some feedback they will always come to me. Eddie knows the people he wants in the camp and I won’t lie, I thought we would have a couple in.
"Perception can play against you as a player and as a team and we have seen a few bits about that as we have gone through this journey and all we can do is roll our sleeves up and change perceptions. Jonny May is back in training. He has done two sessions, is fully fit and you could see him back before the end of the season.
"He has worked very hard and I have never seen anyone attack rehab like him and if England do decide to use him it is all positive. In theory, he is available for selection but it is early doors. Ruan Ackermann is fit and has been phenomenal for us and he could be No8 for England.”
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I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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