Two Saffas in England training squad

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England coach Eddie Jones has named a 28-man squad for a three-day training camp ahead of a busy Test window.

The England squad will meet up at in south-west London from Tuesday, 6 October to Thursday, 8 October.

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England have six upcoming fixtures starting with the uncapped Quilter Cup against the Barbarians on 25 October.

Following a trip to Rome to face Italy (31 Oct)  in the final round of the delayed 2020 Six Nations, England will play four matches as part of the Autumn Nations Cup.

The 28-man squad is very much a first draft, with no players involved from the Exeter Chiefs, Wasps, Bristol Bears, Bath, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors, who are all still involved in Premiership fixtures.

An updated squad will be confirmed ahead of England’s next training camp from Thursday 15 to Saturday, 17 October.

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There are two South African-born players among the 12 who have received their first call-ups: Harlequins tighthead prop Simon Kerrod and Northampton Saints lock David Ribbans.

28-year-old Kerrod started his career at the Sharks and also represented the Southern Kings and Border Bulldogs before moving to England with the Jersey Reds.

25-year-old Somerset West-raised Ribbans came through with Western Province, representing them at U19, U21 and Currie Cup levels, but opted to move to Northampton in 2017 after not breaking into the Stormers squad.

A host of Saracens players have also been named in the squad, including England captain Owen Farrell, No 8 Billy Vunipola and lock Maro Itoje.

‘Our preparation to build the team for the Italy game starts now,’ England coach Eddie Jones said. ‘We have a three-day camp this week and another one next week, then we’re into the week of our Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians. We’ll be slowly building up, working on the basics and working on team cohesion.

‘We’re excited to be back together in camp representing England. This autumn we want to play for the fans and give them something to smile about.’

Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

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SA Rugby magazine