London (AFP)

Deprived of the third row Billy Vunipola, forfeit after broke an arm, the English coach Eddie Jones renewed a third of his team compared to the group of 32 who had disputed the last World Cup in Japan.

They are ten to have failed in the final against the South Africans on November 2 (32-12) and who will not see the Tournament this year.

Among them, Billy Vunipola who fractured an arm with the Saracens, Sunday, during the European Cup match against Racing 92. If the club did not give a period of unavailability, his absence from the group English confirms that he will not return in time for the competition which will take place from February 1 to March 14.

Jones did not call a trade number 8 to replace Vunipola, believing that he had enough alternatives with Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam and Ben Earl, one of the eight uncapped players called.

More surprising, the absence of the winger or rear Jack Nowell, who plays with the co-leader of the English championship Exeter but whose name does not appear in the list.

Also missing are Dan Cole (pillar), Jack Singleton (hooker), Mark Wilson (third row), Ben Spencer (half scrum), Henry Slade and Piers Francis (opening halves), Joe Cokanasiga (winger) Ruaridh McConnochie (winger / back), most of which have experienced physical glitches.

"The important thing is always to win the next game, so we took the best team available," said Eddie Jones, quoted in the statement.

"At the same time, we wanted to bring in some young players because we need to add depth (to our squad)," he added as the group heads to Portugal on Thursday to "have a little bit of sun, heat and put us in physical and mental balance "for the Tournament.

"Our first task will be to beat France in France and this is the only game that must occupy us," he added, referring to their entry into the tournament on February 2 at Stade de France.

England will then go to Scotland on 8 March, before receiving Ireland on 23 March and Wales on 7 March and finishing in Italy on 14 March.

Back: Elliot Daly (Saracens), Ollie Devoto (Exeter), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester), George Furbank (Northampton), Willi Heinz (Gloucester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Jonny May (Leicester), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Jacob Umaga (Wasps), Anthony Watson (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester)

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Tom Curry (Sale), Tom Dunn (Exeter), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Ted Hill (Worcester ), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Alex Moon (Northampton), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter)

© 2020 AFP