Injuries overshadow Jones’s latest England squad

Eddie Jones names his England squad for the end-of-year internationals on Wednesday, with a raft of injuries posing problems for the Australian coach.
Some 10 players who might have been involved for England’s upcoming matches against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia at Twickenham in November and December are sidelined.
Jones has won all nine of his Tests since taking charge of England following the then hosts’ first-round exit at last year’s World Cup.
But he will have to field a rejigged side when England line-up against the Springboks on November 12.
In the back-row, England will be without James Haskell, Jack Clifford, Sam Jones and Mike Williams.
Former England captain Chris Robshaw made his name as an openside flanker but Jones has repeatedly made it clear he sees him as a blindside loose forward.
But the former Australia and Japan coach may yet have to revise his stance.
Meanwhile, injuries also mean England will be without Jones’s first-choice lock pairing of Maro Itoje and Saracens team-mate George Kruis.
As a result, Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes — England’s lock duo at the World Cup — could be restored to the second row.
England’s back division has also been affected, with centre Manu Tuilagi (groin), and wings Jack Nowell (thigh) and Anthony Watson (fractured jaw) also out of action.
Semesa Rokoduguni, Marland Yarde and Jonny May will be vying for the vacant wing berths.

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Baba Ghafla