England Six Nations 2020 squad announcement: Eddie Jones rings the changes with eight uncapped players called-up

• Have your say! Comment below whether or not Eddie Jones got it right 

Jack Nowell will miss out on the Six Nations after undergoing an ankle operation as England head coach Eddie Jones unveiled a 34-man squad for the Championship featuring eight uncapped players.

Just hours after it was confirmed that Billy Vunipola suffered a broken arm in Saracens’ 27-24 victory against Racing 92, Jones must deal with the absence of another front-line player in Nowell. Telegraph Sport understands that Nowell has been carrying an ankle injury since the World Cup and decided surgery was a necessity even after playing in Exeter Chiefs’ Champions Cup victory against La Rochelle on Saturday.

Other World Cup squad members including Mark Wilson, Joe Cokanasiga, Henry Slade and Piers Francis also miss out through injury. The biggest casualty is tighthead prop Dan Cole, 32, who had a torrid time in the World Cup final opposite Springboks Tendai Mtawarira and may have come to the end of his Test career on 95 caps. England open their Six Nations Championship campaign away to France on 2 February.

Jones has been true to his promise to refresh the squad after the World Cup, with uncapped players making up more than a quarter of his squad, although intriguingly there is no room for a specialist No 8. As The Daily Telegraph revealed this morning Northampton full back George Furbank, Gloucester wing Ollie Thorley and Saracens back row Ben Earl all make the cut.

Also included are Northampton pair Fraser Dingwall and Alex Moon, Bath front rowers Tom Dunn and Will Stuart along with Wasps fly half Jacob Umaga. Worcester flanker Ted Hill, Exeter tighthead Harry Williams, Exeter centre Ollie Devoto and Bath lock Charlie Ewels return to the squad. Meanwhile, Harlequins loosehead Joe Marler, who came out of retirement to play in the World Cup, remains in the squad.

“It is always about winning the next game so we have picked the best squad available,” Jones said. “At the same time we wanted to bring some young players in because we need to keep building our depth so for those new players it is an exciting opportunity for them.”

Northampton scrum half Alex Mitchell, who is returning from injury, and Newcastle Falcons full back Josh Hodge have been included as apprentices.

Yet Jones’ new broom did not reach the position of scrum half where Ben Youngs, 30, and Willi Heinz, 33, retain their places from the World Cup squad. Saracens’ Ben Spencer, who played in the World Cup final, misses out. Fellow World Cup tourists Jack Singleton and  Ruaridh McConnochie, who is just returning to fitness, also sit out.

Perhaps the biggest position of interest will be who will fill the No 8 shirt after it was confirmed that Vunipola will almost certainly miss the entire Six Nations. Jones resisted the temptation to call up Harlequins’ precocious Alex Dombrandt. Nor did he hand recalls to Exeter’s Sam Simmonds or Bristol’s Nathan Hughes. Earl impressed from the base of the scrum after Vunipola’s injury in Saracens’ Champions Cup victory while Tom Curry and Lewis Ludlam represent alternative options.

“The Guinness Six Nations for us is all about raising the standards in terms of the way we prepare, tactically and physically how we play the game, and the way we come together off the field,” Jones said. “But our first task is beating France in France and that is the only game we need to worry about. We will begin our preparations in Portugal, get a bit of sun, some warm conditions and get ourselves physically and mentally right for the game. "The first three days will be about getting organised. We have got players from 11 clubs so we need to get everyone on the same page quickly, spend a lot of time working on our togetherness and then by Tuesday next week we are in Test preparation for France.”

2:50PM

And that is a wrap for the day!

There will be more analysis of the new faces in the squad to come from the Telegraph Sport team on the website.

Thanks for joining me today. Feel free to leave your comments below on anything and everything from today!

2:46PM

More from Eddie Jones on his squad

Speaking to Sky Sports, when Jones was asked who the most exciting new faces in the squad are he responded:

I expect Furbank to win a cap in the Six Nations, I'm not so sure about Dingwall but Eddie is clearly a fan.

2:30PM

A little more information on one of England's apprentice players

2:17PM

Maybe just a little bold...

2:09PM

Eddie Jones press conference quotes

On Steve Borthwick leaving his team:

"If I am picking the right assistant coaches then they will leave" referring to the recruitment of his former team members to senior roles elsewhere.

2:06PM

Eddie Jones presser

On Ben Earl:

On Simmonds and Dombrandt missing out he says:

1:59PM

Mike Brown wanted Alex Dombrandt to be picked as much as everyone else...

1:58PM

Debut against Italy I reckon for the Gloucester flyer

1:53PM

It is time to talk about Alex Moon

England have gone with the big four at lock, and Charlie Ewels who has consistently been England's fifth choice.

However, Moon has jumped ahead of Elliott Stooke, Jonny Hill and Nick Isiekwe. I am going to give Eddie Jones the benefit of the doubt on this one, but I have been very impressed by Hill in particular this season and would have gone with him as the sixth lock if I had to pick six...

Is Alex Moon going to become a regular for England in years to come? I'm not so sure at this stage.

1:22PM

Eddie Jones' thoughts - we will hear more from him at 2pm when he holds his press conference

1:17PM

Charlie Morgan: Stunning try sums up what George Furbank can offer England during the Six Nations

Read the in depth analysis here

England finally have a natural full-back again. Will he displace Elliot Daly from the 15 jersey or should England stick with him?

1:09PM

Read Gavin Mairs, our Chief Rugby Unions Correspondent's thoughts on the squad

Eddie Jones has injected youthful vigour to his squad to avoid a hangover from World Cup final defeat

12:53PM

Northampton Saints feature very heavily in this squad after a strong start to this season

12:42PM

Jack Nowell and Henry Slade injury confirmation

12:34PM

Keep up to date with all the latest England information with our free newsletter

12:32PM

What has Ben Spencer done wrong?

12:31PM

Ollie Devoto could be a brilliant 12 for England

His ability to do all facets of the game well gives England a balance in the midfield. I hope he is given a chance to play.

12:27PM

England have picked six locks

Does that mean that Itoje or Lawes may well be used at blinside flanker?

12:23PM

Update from Dan Schofield

Jack Nowell has not been dropped! He is set to have an ankle surgery which explains his otherwise puzzling absence.

12:18PM

Form rewarded

Will Stuart, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ted Hill, Ollie Thorley, George Furbank and Ollie Devoto have all earned selection with consistent club performances.

12:14PM

Scrum-half stays the same

England stick with Youngs and Heinz. Although the talented Alex Mitchell is named as an apprentice.

12:12PM

The number eight situation is a little baffling - there were plenty of options!

12:10PM

Josh Hodge is named as an apprentice... here he is in action

12:08PM

Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt miss out despite Billy Vunipola's absence

There is no natural number eight in the squad! Ludlam, Hill or Earl to play there...

12:05PM

FRASER DINGWALL!

The Northampton centre is a huge surprise selection, as is his teammate Alex Moon.

Jacob Umaga is another surprise - he is not listed as an apprentice!

12:03PM

And here it is again in another format!

12:02PM

Here is the England squad!

Forwards Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 19 caps) Tom Dunn (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped) Ben Earl (Saracens, uncapped) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 12 caps) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 45 caps) Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap) Maro Itoje (Saracens, 34 caps) George Kruis (Saracens, 41 caps) Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 62 caps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 81 caps) Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 6 caps) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 68 caps) Alex Moon (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 31 caps) Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 15 caps) Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 58 caps) Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)

Backs Elliot Daly (Saracens, 39 caps) Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap) Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Owen Farrell (Saracens, 79 caps) George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 65 caps) George Furbank (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 47 caps) Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps) Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 40 caps) Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)

Apprentice players Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped) Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)

England have dropped Jack Nowell from their squad for the Six Nations as one of 10 absentees from last autumn's World Cup.

Nowell, the Lions wing who is highly rated by Eddie Jones, played for Exeter in Saturday's Champions Cup victory over La Rochelle but is excluded from the 34 names picked for the 2020 Championship.

Also missing from the 32 players who helped England reach the World Cup final are Jack Singleton, Mark Wilson, Dan Cole, Billy Vunipola, Henry Slade, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Spencer and Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell.

Many of the Japan 2019 casualties are injured.

However, Jones has opted against calling up specialist number eight cover for Billy Vunipola.

11:55AM

The England squad announcement is just five minutes away!

Here come the Eddie Jones wildcards...

11:49AM

Position break down: Back three

Elliot Daly, Jonny May, Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell will be picked. Who will join them is less clear.

Joe Cokanasiga's injury is a shame and Ruaridh McConnochie has barely played.

England need a genuine full back in the squad and George Furbank looks set to be that man.

Another winger will most likely be selected too. Ollie Thorley is the favourite but Gabriel Ibitoye could be a long shot. He has been an apprentice before and the Harlequin can simply do incredible things. He could be worth developing as by 2023 who knows how good he could be.

Whatever way England go, they are not short of talent in the back three.

11:45AM

Position break down: Centre

Centre is another interesting selection. Manu Tuilagi, Jonathan Joseph and the injury-hit Henry Slade are all solid selections.

Will Piers Francis retain his spot or will Ollie Devoto or Mark Atkinson force their way into the battle for the 12 shirt?

It is a real shame that Joe Marchant is down in New Zealand. He could have won his Six Nations debut in this tournament.

I have a feeling Eddie might spring a surprise in the midfield today. An apprentice named Ollie Lawrence perhaps?

11:39AM

George Furbank was named in our team of the week, will he be named in the England squad too?

Read the full Champions Cup team of the week, Round 6 here

11:28AM

Position break down: Fly-half

Owen Farrell and George Ford will be selected. Danny Cipriani's England days look done.

Will Eddie Jones start to groom a third choice 10? I think that would be wise, and Joe Simmonds and Marcus Smith are both great options for that role.

Simmonds has been in better form, however, Smith has a creative spark which is more unique. I'd give him the nod but Simmonds would also be a worthy selection.

Eddie may well just go with the two players he rates at 9 and 10 once again though.

11:20AM

Position break down: Scrum-half

Scrum-half may well be England's weakest position. Ben Youngs is still England's best 9 but the options behind him are thin. Willi Heinz is expected to be retained in the squad but England need to find out if Ben Spencer and Dan Robson can cut it.

They should use the Six Nations to find out and if they struggle look to Alex Mitchell and Harry Randall as long term options.

However, Eddie Jones may well select one of the young options today to assist his more experienced scrum-halves.

11:15AM

Get the latest inside track from Sir Ian McGeechan right to your inbox

11:10AM

Position break down: Back row

There are so many options which makes it by far the most exciting selection.

In: Tom Curry, Sam Underhill

Probables: Lewis Ludlam, Sam Simmonds, Ben Earl

Possibles: Alex Dombrandt, Ted Hill, Nathan Hughes, Teimana Harrison, Jack Willis, Matt Kvesic, Dave Ewers

I'd have Curry at 6 (Willis his back-up), Underhill at 7 (Earl his back-up, and Simmonds at 8 (Dombrandt his back-up).

Let me know if I have got it right or wrong by commenting below!

10:57AM

Here is my England squad for the Six Nations (before Billy Vunipola's injury)

I would bring in Ben Earl for the injured Vunipola - the rest of the squad remains the same. Although I am tempted to bring in Ollie Thorley for Gabriel Ibitoye.

 Read all the squad selections made by our writers here

10:51AM

Position break down: Second row

England are very likely to select Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, George Kruis and Joe Launchbury again. They are all truly excellent operators.

The question is, if Eddie Jones brings in a fifth lock, who should it be?

Jonny Hill and Elliott Stooke have both been pushing their cases while Nick Isiekwe has also been impressive, albeit quite often at six when he has performed especially well.

All three are quite distinct options. Hill is an excellent lineout operator who has improved his physicality around the pitch, Stooke is more of an old school enforcer while Isiekwe is a very modern lock who is so athletic and gifted with ball in hand.

I reckon one will make it into the squad today.

10:44AM

Join Telegraph Rugby WhatsApp for news, analysis and talking points during the 2020 Six Nations!

Stay up to date with all the action from the 2020 Six Nations with insights and talking points for all matches, plus alerts guiding you to the pick of The Telegraph’s rugby content. Signing up is easy, just follow this link for all the information!

10:39AM

More England news this morning!

From our man Charlie Morgan:

The RFU have confirmed that Steve Borthwick will leave the England coaching set-up at the end of the season, with Jason Ryles joining from rugby league as a skills coach in November.

Borthwick was Eddie Jones’ first appointment when the Australian took over from Stuart Lancaster as England head coach in the wake of Rugby World Cup 2015, the pair having worked together with Japan.

A press release from the RFU paid tribute to “one of the brightest young coaches in the country”, while Jones praised Borthwick’s renowned diligence and hinted that his long-time lieutenant would be beginning a more senior role.

Read the full piece here

10:31AM

Position break down: Front row

England are absolutely stacked at loosehead. Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler and Ellis Genge are likely to be selected, as they were for the World Cup. However, Eddie Jones is a big fan of Bath prop Beno Obano who has been involved in England squads as far back as 2017. Injury has hampered his progress but he is back performing well. He could be a surprise selection.

At hooker, two of three pick themselves as Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie have been in superb form for their clubs. The third choice option is a close call however. Jack Singleton has not been at his best this season and will face pressure for his spot from Tom Dunn and Harry Thacker. Both would offer more dynamic options than Singleton.

Tighthead is another interesting call. Kyle Sinckler is the man at no. 3 but his back-ups are not set in stone. Will Dan Cole be selected again? Will Harry Williams be recallled? The fine form of Will Stuart at Bath makes him a tempting option, especially given the quality of his scrummaging.

Who would you pick in the front-row? Comment below.

10:21AM

Sign up for our free newsletters for all the latest from the weekend's rugby

10:11AM

Billy Vunipola update

Bad News for England! It was confirmed that Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola broke an arm against Racing 92 on Sunday.

Although no time frame has been given for his return, Vunipola is unlikely to play any part in the forthcoming Six Nations as he comes to terms with the fourth fractured arm of his career.

"Billy will see a consultant over the coming days to determine the full extent of the injury before undergoing rehabilitation," a Saracens statement said.

Vunipola sustained the injury in the sixth minute of the 27-24 victory over Racing. The injury to Vunipola, while a massive blow to England, makes this selection even more intriguing.

9:20AM

Will Eddie Jones make many surprise selections?

The first England squad after a World Cup announcement is always a fascinating moment. Which players have run their course at international level? Who are the young guns that will dominate the next four year cycle?

Speculation over who Eddie Jones will select has been rampant, in part due to the incredible array of options available to the England coach. Certain positions are stacked, like back row or at lock, while others, scrum-half for one, look a little bare.

Ben Earl, George Furbank and Ollie Thorley have all been rumoured to be in the squad while walking highlight-reel Alex Dombrandt may also be included. The Harlequin back rower's chances with have been helped by an injury to Billy Vunipola yesterday. Saracens confirmed that the number eight broke his arm against Racing 92 with the length of time out of rugby yet to be confirmed.

However, there is stiff competition in the back row with Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Earl likely selections while Sam Simmonds, Ted Hill, Jack Willis, Teimana Harrison, Nathan Hughes, Lewis Ludlam, Matt Kvesic, and Dave Ewers are all good options.

Half-back selection will also be interesting. Jones opted to take just two fly-halves and two scrum-halves to Japan. But in a slightly larger Six Nations squad is likely to have at least one extra 10, and possibly an additional nine.

Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell and George Ford will all be selected. Who will join them is an interesting selection.

Does Willi Heinz keep his place? Does Ben Spencer come in as a younger option? Will young stars Marcus Smith and Joe Simmonds get a chance to deputise behind Ford and Farrell?

All will be revealed at midday.