England's Six Nations prep underway

Mon, Jan 1, 2018, 9:39 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Eddie Jones and England are into the swing of things in Brighton. Photo: Getty images
Eddie Jones and England are into the swing of things in Brighton. Photo: Getty images

England's first Six Nations camp began overnight, with just over a month to go until the tournament begins.

Eddie Jones's men were hit with a handful of injuries after last weekend's Premiership rounds, but plenty of hopefuls will still have a chance to impress before the January 18 announcement of the Six Nations squad.

Charlie Ewels (hamstring), Piers Francis (concussion), Jonathan Joseph (dead leg), Jack Nowell (ankle) and Harry Williams (concussion) were all absent from the camp, while lock Courtney Lawes was already ruled out for personal reasons.

Giant London Irish wing Joe Cokanasiga and Bath's Henry Thomas have been called up as injury replacements.

Maro Itoje is in doubt for the SIx Nations. Photo: Getty ImagesEngland stars Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola have been included in the squad, after lengthy injuries, in a boost to England's Six Nations hopes.

Jones said this two-day camp, in Brighton, was critical.

"This camp in Brighton is important for us to set the tone as a squad ahead of the Six Nations," he said.

"We will need to improve if we are to hunt down our opponents and beat them.

"This tournament will be exciting and challenging, as we know we will play against some very strong teams.

“Brighton will provide a great base to begin our preparations with players coming away with a clear plan for our opening match of the campaign against Italy.”

England has won the past two Six Nations title, losing just one match in the process, to Ireland in 2017.

England opens its Six Nations campaign on Sunday February 4 against Italy, kicking off at 3pm local, Monday 1am AEDT.

SQUAD

England squad for Brighton camp 

Backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)

Nathan Earle (Saracens)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

George Ford (Leicester Tigers)

Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins) *

Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)

Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)

Jamie George (Saracens)

Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

James Haskell (Wasps)

Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)

Maro Itoje (Saracens) 

Joe Launchbury (Wasps)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *

Beno Obano (Bath Rugby)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) 

Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)

Henry Thomas (Bath)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

FIXTURES

Six Nations 2018 

Round one 

Saturday February 3

Wales vs Scotland, Millennium Stadium, 2:15pm local, Sunday 1:15am AEDT

France vs Ireland, Stade de France, 4:45pm local, Sunday 2:45am AEDT 

Sunday February 4

Italy vs England, Stadio Olimpico, 3pm local, Monday 1am AEDT

Round two 

Saturday February 10

Ireland vs Italy, Aviva Stadium, 2:15om local, Sunday 1:15am AEDT

England vs Wales, Twickenham, 4:45pm local, Sunday 3:45am AEDT 

Sunday February 11

Scotland vs France, Murrayfield Stadium, 3pm local, Monday 2am AEDT 

Round three 

Friday February 23

France vs Italy, Stade de France, 8pm local, Saturday 6am AEDT 

Saturday February 24

Ireland vs Wales, Aviva Stadium, 2:15pm local, Sunday 1:15am AEDT

Scotland vs England, Murrayfield Stadium, 4:45pm local, Sunday 3:45am AEDT 

Round four

Saturday March 10

Ireland vs Scotland, Aviva Stadium, 2:15pm local, Sunday 1:15am AEDT

France vs England, Stade de France, 4:45pm local, Sunday 3:45am AEDT 

Sunday March 11 

Wales vs Italy, Millennium Stadium, 3pm local, Monday 2am AEDT 

Round five 

Saturday March 17

Italy vs Scotland, Stadio Olimpico, 12:30pm local, 10:30pm AEDT

England vs Ireland, Twickenham, 2:45pm local, Sunday 1:45am AEDT

Wales vs France, Millennium Stadium, 5pm local, Sunday 4am AEDT

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