England rugby

Ex-England rugby forward eyes switch to Fiji

Under the new World Rugby rules, Hughes can wear the Fijian jersey.

But Fiji Rugby Union chief executive John O'Connor said the final decision is with Flying Fijians' coach Vern Cotter.

Following a dismal 2021 international season, Cotter could have an influx of new players heading into the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Hughes joins several other players vying for a spot in Cotter's side including former All Blacks Seta Tamanivalu and Waisake Naholo, and Wallaby Tevita Kuridrani.

Owen Farrell, Jamie George & Manu Tuilagi set to play in Six Nations

Fly-half and centre Farrell required surgery on an ankle injury suffered in the win over Australia on 13 November, when hooker George damaged a knee.

Centre Tuilagi tore a hamstring in the win over South Africa a week later.

Saracens head coach Mark McCall said Farrell will return "towards the end of January".

He added: "It won't be in the next couple of weeks, but it should be before the Six Nations".

England's Owen Farrell and Jamie George ruled out of South Africa Test through injury

Farrell (ankle) and George (knee) have withdrawn from the squad with injuries sustained in last Saturday's 32-15 win over Australia.

Gloucester's Harry Elrington and Jack Singleton have now been called up to Eddie Jones' 34-man squad.

Joe Marler will join on Friday after completing his 10-day isolation period following a positive Covid-19 test.

George, 31, was not named in the initial autumn squad but the Saracens hooker was recalled a day later following an injury to Luke Cowan-Dickie.

England make it eight in a row against Australia

Tries for Freddie Steward and Jamie Blamire and the pinpoint goalkicking of Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith settled a penalty-ridden game.

England made most of the running in the first half and scored a superb try through fullback Steward after seven minutes but as both teams conceded a succession of penalties, Farrell and James O'Connor punished each other from the tee to keep it tight at 16-12 at halftime.

The ragged, indisciplined nature continued in the second half.

Manu Tuilagi on the wing may help Australia, says Matt Dawson

Centre Tuilagi has only started on the wing once in 44 England caps.

The move makes way for Owen Farrell to start at 12 alongside fly-half Marcus Smith, with Henry Slade at 13.

Dawson said Tuilagi is "world-class in midfield" and selecting him in the back three "does not make any sense".

Adam Radwan, who opened the scoring in the 69-3 thrashing of Tonga last weekend, drops out of the matchday squad to make room for Tuilagi, with Jones only naming two backs on the bench.

Louis Lynagh added to England squad ahead of Tonga test

Lynagh, the son of Australia great Michael Lynagh, was selected in an extended training group for the first time in September but was then jettisoned when Eddie Jones reduced his group for the Tests at Twickenham to 34 players.

The 20-year-old’s inclusion comes after the Wallabies last week expressed an interest in securing his national allegiance, while he is also qualified to play for Italy.

Ben Youngs and Ollie Lawrence withdraw from England's training camp

Scrum-half Youngs picked up a minor thigh injury in Leicester Tigers' win over Gloucester, while Worcester Warriors centre Lawrence, 22, is unwell.

The injury to 32-year-old Youngs is not expected to rule him out of Leicester's game against Saracens on Saturday.

England are preparing to face Tonga, Australia and South Africa in November.

Eddie Jones announced his 45-man England squad a week ago with big names such as Billy and Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and George Ford all left out.

Joe Cokanasiga shines on international return

In his first Test since 2019, Cokanasiga shone in a seven-try victory that was far from flawless.

With eight debutants in the starting XV, the hosts started brightly scoring four tries to please the 10,000 fans.

But England's error count climbed after injuries to Max Malins and Ollie Lawrence and they conceded four tries.

Highly-anticipated uncapped half-back pairing Harry Randall and Marcus Smith at least gave supporters something to shout about before the final whistle as they both scored their first tries for England.

     

Manu Tuilagi has withdrawn from the England squad 41 hours after call-up

Following last weekend’s results in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, seven players from the two beaten teams were called up by Eddie Jones.

Bristol, who dramatically lost to Harlequins after extra-time, provided Will Capon, Max Malins and Harry Randall while Sale, who lost at Exeter, had four selections in Ben Curry, Curtis Langdon, Bevan Rodd and Tuilagi.

Eddie Jones wants 'fresh, energetic players' for 2023 World Cup

England face the USA and Canada in July, while an England 'A' team will meet Scotland 'A' at the end of June.

"It's all about two years to the World Cup now and building a squad to 2023," Jones told BBC Sport.

"That's the opportunity for this summer tour."

Jones names his squad on Thursday, 10 June (12:00 BST), and with 11 England players away with the British and Irish Lions, the squad will take on a new complexion.

In-form Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith is one of a host of rookies pushing for a first cap.