Eddie Jones: Henry Arundell ‘reminds me a lot of Matt Giteau’ after youngster named in England squad

Stan Wilson

Henry Arundell has received a comparison to Matt Giteau from Eddie Jones ahead of his first England senior camp after making the preliminary 36-man squad.

The team will convene on Sunday for three days to prepare for their fixture against the Barbarians on June 19, giving Jones a closer look at some of the fringe players before the summer tour to Australia.

London Irish‘s full-back makes the squad having impressed for his club in the Premiership Cup and more recently the Challenge Cup, where he scored a phenomenal length-of-the-pitch try to put the Exiles in position to convert for a last-gasp victory.

The 19-year-old has made just 12 appearances for Irish so far with just five of those being starts, but Jones has seen enough to invite the teen prodigy to camp.

All eyes on Arundell

“We watched him during the England Under-20s and he was impressive,” said the England boss.

“He’s got exceptional pace. He probably reminds me a lot of Matt Giteau in terms of his desire to attack. Not the way he plays, but his desire to attack.

“I was particularly impressed when I went to see him play against Wasps. The ball was kicked to him and he knocked it on cold, so it wasn’t a great start.

“There’s all this hoo-ha about him being a fantastic player and he knocks the ball on cold.

“Next ball he gets a long pass, sees back space, chips and scores and that’s the sort of mindset you want to see from young players who want to take on the game. So that’s impressive, along with his pace.”

10 uncapped players, including Arundell, were selected for the squad along with some familiar faces who were absent from the Six Nations roster.

Returning from injury for England are Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Joe Cokanasiga and Jack Willis, however Henry Slade, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler will not be attending but can be expected on the plane to Australia.

“It’s been a tough period for Owen. It started with his club being relegated and he had a tough time playing then and has had a number of injuries. It’s good to see him back and fit,” Jones said.

“But he’s back playing, been consistently good for his club and is and part of the reason why Saracens have progressed so far in Europe and are obviously doing well in the Premiership.

“I caught up with Manu last night (Monday) in Manchester. He was looking very fit and enthusiastic. He really wants to make an imprint on this Australia tour.

“Our job with Sale is to get him physically right and ready to go. We want a revolution, not an evolution. It’s all about finding out what’s right for him. He’s slowly learning what he needs to do.”

The training squad features Saracens prop Mako Vunipola after he was dropped ahead of the autumn and hasn’t featured since.

“No door’s ever been closed on a player. Players select or deselect themselves,” Jones said.

“While Mako has been out injured, his play before that was exceptional and we want to have a look at him to see if he can add to the team.”

READ MORE: England: Eddie Jones names Henry Arundell in 36-man training squad

 

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Eddie Jones on youngster Henry Arundell

England head coach Eddie Jones talks about form London Irish full-back Henry Arundell.