Next weekend’s fixture against the Barbarians has been flagged for a long time as an important exercise in the context of the upcoming Test series in Australia. Coached by Fabien Galthié, captained by Charles Ollivon and promising to be brimming with young French talent, the invitational side will be capable of causing an upset at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones will mull over positional combinations and how best to prepare individuals for a showdown with the Wallabies. Some established figures will be held back, you imagine. Here is a 23 that could cover those bases, while introducing a few new faces.
It is a nice thought, and why not? Picking the rapid 19-year-old would fly against Chris Boyd’s theory that players should have 50 club matches before featuring in an international and you would expect Freddie Steward to feature in Australia, yet Arundell is a fine prospect.
Excellent against Ireland three months ago before picking up another frustrating injury in Paris, Nowell returned for Exeter in their last outing of the Premiership season. Game-time would be useful and his experience would aid a green side. Jonny May could fulfil a similar role.
One of England’s success stories of the Six Nations, despite contracting Covid and beginning the tournament tentatively at Murrayfield, Marchant excelled in this fixture back in 2019. Fraser Dingwall should be considered and Will Joseph has been training well, we hear.
There seemed something rather deliberate about the inclusion of both Max Ojomoh and Atkinson – two specialist inside centres – in last week’s group. In the absence of Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi, England need midfield solidity. Owen Farrell will surely wear 12 at some stage, but Atkinson provides ballast and
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