England rugby squad: Danny Cipriani and Brad Shields selected for tour of South Africa

Call up | Cipriani last played for England back in 2015
Action Images/Andrew Boyers
Will Macpherson10 May 2018

Danny Cipriani has been recalled by England for next month’s tour of South Africa after a three-year absence from the Test arena.

England have never won a tour in South Africa before and head coach Eddie Jones has selected a strong squad. He has called up eight uncapped players and resisted the temptation to rest any more than four after the Six Nations slump that saw them lose their last three games and finish fifth.

Owen Farrell steps in as captain of the 34-man squad for Dylan Hartley, who is one of 20 unavailable players. Billy Vunipola, who has played just 249 minutes since Saracens’ Premiership semi-final defeat to Exeter last May, is selected.

This is the first time Jones has selected Cipriani, who last played for England in a 2015 World Cup squad and last started a decade ago, in a full squad.

“He hasn’t had a recall,” said the Australian. “I’ve never picked him. He’s had a call-up for the first time. I’ve watched him play closely and think he deserves an opportunity. He has done things I’ve asked him to in games and I’m happy to give him the opportunity.

“He’s a player in the squad and he has a role to do. He has to prove he’s the best 10 or the best 15 in the squad. We wouldn’t have picked him [if we didn’t think he could do that].”

Jones has rested four players - scrum-halfs Danny Care and Richard Wigglesworth, prop Dan Cole and flanker James Haskell. Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje, therefore, will tour.

“We felt this was the time [to rest these players],” said Jones. “Our priority is to win the World Cup. Each tour and each tournament we take seriously, and are targets are always the same. It’s getting that balance right and we feel it is right now, leading up to a World Cup and post a Lions tour it’s the time to do it.”

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Brad Shields (above), the New Zealand-born flanker, is one of eight uncapped players, and beats back-rowers Don Armand and Gary Graham to a place in the squad. They were two name-checked by Jones as being unlucky to miss out. Of Exeter’s Armand, Jones said: “He’s a good player, we just don’t feel like he will add to the squad at this stage.”

Two of the new calls are scrum-halfs, Ben Spencer of Saracens and Dan Robson of Wasps.

Besides Shields, there are interesting inclusions in the pack, too, with the uncapped back rows Jack Willis (Wasps) and Ben Earl (Saracens) and flanker Jonny Hill (Exeter) selected.

Also selected is 18-year-old Sale centre Cameron Redpath, the son of former Scotland captain Bryan. He was invited to an open training session during the Six Nations and has now received a full call-up ahead of Harlequins’ Marcus Smith, who Jones does not believe is ready for international rugby. “He’s a good young player, he has great potential,” said Jones of Redpath. “Lovely skills, runs straight, good catch and pass skills. He’s an exciting player for us.”

Here is the England squad in full for the tour of South Africa…

Backs
Full backs
Mike Brown Harlequins
Elliot Daly Wasps
Nathan Earle * Saracens
Jonny May Leicester Tigers
Denny Solomona Sale Sharks
 
Inside backs
Danny Cipriani Wasps
Owen Farrell Saracens
George Ford Leicester Tigers
Alex Lozowski Saracens
Cameron Redpath * Sale Sharks
Dan Robson * Wasps
Henry Slade Exeter Chiefs
Ben Spencer * Saracens
Ben Te’o Worcester Warriors
Ben Youngs Leicester Tigers
 
Forwards
Back five
Tom Curry Sale Sharks
Ben Earl * Saracens
Jonny Hill * Exeter Chiefs
Nick Isiekwe Saracens
Maro Itoje Saracens
Joe Launchbury Wasps
Chris Robshaw Harlequins
Brad Shields * Hurricanes/Wasps
Sam Simmonds Exeter Chiefs
Billy Vunipola Saracens
Jack Willis * Wasps
Mark Wilson Newcastle
 
Front row
Luke Cowan-Dickie Exeter Chiefs
Ellis Genge Leicester Tigers
Jamie George Saracens
Joe Marler Harlequins
Kyle Sinckler Harlequins
Mako Vunipola Saracens
Harry Williams Exeter Chiefs
* = uncapped

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