Summary

  • Jones names seven new faces in England squad

  • Build up to Wednesday's Premier League games

  • GET INVOLVED National anthem debate #bbcsportsday

  1. rugby union

    'I hope the anthem stays - I've only just learned it'published at 15:27

    Eddie Jones news conference

    And that is that from your man Eddie. 

    But before he goes Jones is also asked about the English national anthem - because MPs have been discussing whether to replace God Save the Queen for sporting events.

    There are some very straight answers on either side of him before Australian Jones delivers: "I've just been learning the words, I hope they don't change it now."  

    Eddie JonesImage source, Getty Images
  2. rugby union

    'Front row a priority'published at 15:23

    Eddie Jones news conference

    England scrumImage source, Getty Images

    Eddie Jones says he made the England front row the priority in naming his squad so the side had a strong forward base.

    He said: "We really wanted to make sure the front row is right so we have picked three players in each of those positions. That means we are lighter in other areas."

  3. rugby union

    'No-one plays lovely rugby and comes third'published at 15:20

    Eddie Jones news conference

    Eddie Jones: "It's all about winning. We have got to win. No-one plays lovely rugby and finishes third. Don't kid yourself.  

    "All we want to do is beat Scotland. Then we play Italy, Ireland, Wales, France. We have to worry about each game, we can't get too far ahead of ourselves.

    "We have got seven training sessions now. There is not going to be some new radical rugby. We have to build slowly and surely to make sure we keep improving."

    Eddie JonesImage source, PA
  4. rugby union

    'Farrell is capable of playing 10 or 12'published at 15:18

    Eddie Jones news conference

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    And how does Jones play to use Owen Farrell? Stuart Lancaster opted to select him at fly-half ahead of George Ford during the World Cup.

    "He is capable of playing 10 or 12 so that is definitely a consideration. In the modern game of rugby you can play 12 in a number of different ways. We are not chasing a radical dream. Certainly Owen is a candidate for that spot."

  5. rugby union

    'Robshaw will be pushing hard at six'published at 15:15

    Eddie Jones news conference

    Chris RobshawImage source, Getty Images

    And what of deposed captain Chris Robshaw, who had been playing at openside?

    "Chris has been doing exceedingly well at six - he's been playing brilliantly so he's going to be pushing hard to get in the team at six."

    So he'll be considered as a blindside in future...

  6. rugby union

    'Your captain has to set standards'published at 15:10

    Eddie Jones news conference

    What makes a good captain?

    Jones: "Your captain has got to lead by example. He has got to be one of your best players. He needs to set standards on and off the field, and he has to be a conduit between the coaching staff and players."

    And for how long will your first captain be appointed?

    "I think probably it will be just for the Six Nations to start with."

  7. rugby union

    'You could be captain, mate'published at 15:09

    Eddie Jones news conference

    Dylan HartleyImage source, Getty Images

    A journalist asks whether the recalled Dylan Hartley will be the new England captain.

    "Anyone could be captain. You could be captain, mate."

  8. rugby union

    Eddie Jones news conferencepublished at 15:06

    England squad announcement

    "We want to play a brand of rugby that suits the England characteristics. A really strong scrum, dominant in the forwards but we've got to be able to move the ball.

    "Radical for me would be playing really good rugby." 

  9. rugby union

    Eddie Jones news conferencepublished at 15:05

    England squad announcement

    What do the new caps bring?

    "Enthusiasm, energy and very hard work. Since 2003, if you look at the Six Nations England rank fourth. That's not reflective of the talent in this country.

    "There are a lot of disappointed players out there. They know what they've got to do to get into the squad. We've got to decide who are the players who can really come forward."

  10. rugby union

    Eddie Jones news conferencepublished at 15:03

    England squad announcement

    Eddie is in the chair...

    "It's a very exciting day. The first job is to beat Scotland [in the opening game of the Six Nations]. We have picked a combination of guys for England and guys with potential who we thing can be very, very good players."

  11. rugby union

    'I got the call at 8am'published at 14:57

    England squad announcement

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Elliot DalyImage source, Getty Images

    Wasps' back Elliot Daly has been talking about his England inclusion.

    "It’s amazing. I got the call at 8am today and it’s a dream come true. Some got the call last night, but there were a few to call.”

  12. football

    Carroll injured againpublished at 14:54

    Football

    We reported earlier on how West Ham striker Andy Carroll is facing another injury absence after he was forced off with a hamstring problem in the Hammers' 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Tuesday.

    He's feeling low today...

  13. get involved

    Get Involved - new English anthem?published at 14:50

    #bbcsportsday

    You've got 10 minutes left to vote on what you would choose as an alternative English national anthem?

    The light-hearted options are on the right of this page on desktop, and by clicking the tab above if you are on a mobile device..

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - England squad namedpublished at 14:47

    #bbcsportsday

    Nick Friend: So glad Jones has resisted the temptation to pick Brad Barritt....even with Paul Gustard as one of his trusted lieutenants.

    Andrew Lawton: Can't wait to hear [Leicester coach] Richard Cockerill's views on the Tom Youngs omission. 

    RG: Not a bad first effort Eddie. Tieamana Harrison or Luke Wallace instead of Haskell and you would have pretty much nailed it.

  15. rugby union

    'Itoje is a force of nature'published at 14:43

    England squad announcement

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Maro ItojeImage source, Getty Images

    One of the seven new faces is Saracens' lock Maro Itoje. The club's director of rugby Mark McCall described the 21-year-old as a “force of nature”.

    “He makes things happen with the ball. He makes things happen without the ball and he’s done that week in week out for us.”

    Itoje has been tipped as a future England captain and McCall added: “He gets a lot of attention. He deals with it pretty well but I wish he didn’t get so much because sometimes we’re quick to blow people up in this country.

    “He’s very young rugby-wise. He’s only had six months of senior rugby. He’s going to be a hell of a player for England for a very long time if people handle him correctly."

  16. rugby union

    England squad announcementpublished at 14:41

    Rugby union

    BBC Radio 5 live's Matt Dawson has his say...

  17. rugby union

    Wood 'gutted' after being droppedpublished at 14:40

    England squad announcement

    Northampton flanker Tom Wood was a surprise omission from the 33-man England training squad.

  18. rugby union

    Beaumont inclusion 'dispels fear'published at 14:37

    Rugby union

    BBC Radio Manchester

    Josh BeaumontImage source, Getty Images

    Josh Beaumont's inclusion in the squad was welcomed by Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond, who said: "It dispels the fear that people have to leave to play for England. Josh has come through the ranks of the academy and is a credit to everything we're doing at the club."

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - England squad namedpublished at 14:35

    #bbcsportsday

    James: Glad to see a injection of fresh talent in the new England rugby squad - lots of potential for attacking rugby.

    Ben Wire: New England squad: good stuff; new blood. Roll on the Six Nations. Might have brought Danny Cipriani in out of the cold, though.

    Christopher Sweetman: Interesting squad. A new coach should be able to change more than 11 players, however.   

    Under Rugby Football Union rules, Eddie Jones could change 11 players from Lancaster's last squad. Nope, doesn't make sense to us, either...  

  20. get involved

    Get Involved - England squad namedpublished at 14:33

    #bbcsportsday

    Some more reaction to the news that hooker Tom Youngs has been excluded from Eddie Jones' England squad from former England prop David Flatman and Youngs' Leicester team-mate Louis Deacon...