England coach Eddie Jones has sprung a surprise naming 19-year-old Harlequins’ duo Gabriel Ibitoye and Marcus Smith in a 33-man squad to prepare for France in Paris on March 10.
Both winger Ibitoye and fly-half Smith, who are considered ‘apprentice’ players by Jones, are among those added to the 24 players who were involved in the snow-affected training camps staged across the country last week.
Wasps winger Elliot Daly is also included as he continues his bid to prove his fitness after suffering ankle and calf injuries that have prevented his involvement in the Championship to date.
England were heavily criticized after their shock loss to Scotland in Edinburgh for a lack of spark and ideas – hence Jones’ injection of young blood for Paris.
Smith is the highest-paid teenager in world rugby after he penned a new contract from next season that will see him earn £230,000-a-season, representing an increase of more than £200,000.
The Manila-born youngster has started 11 of Quins’ 13 Premiership matches this season, and is being seriously considered as a candidate for Jones’ England squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Powerhouse Ibitoye started the initial three games in the 2017 Six Nations at U20 level and was England’s leading try-scorer, with five, in the subsequent World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.
His performances won him the accolade of being shortlisted for the player of the tournament award.
A third Quin, who were boosted by the announcement of a new partnership with the All Blacks during the week, has also been added with prop Kyle Sinckler returning to the national squad.
Eddie Jones names his 33-man squad to face @FFRugby.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 3, 2018
Here's who will be part of the team for #LeCrunch 📲 https://t.co/YzntjNzrmv pic.twitter.com/tpiGqH20pX
In total Harlequins, who sit in ninth place in the Premiership, have seven players in the squad while top of the table Exeter Chiefs have just three.
After beating Italy 46-15 and Wales 12-6 in the tournament, England lost 13-25 to Scotland last time out to sit second in the table behind Ireland going into round four.
England face Ireland on March 17 at Twickenham on the final day.
England squad to prepare for France in Paris on March 10
Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)*, Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins)*, Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Forwards
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
