Francis thought Jones’ call was a prank

Blues fly-half Piers Francis has revealed his shock at being included in the England squad for the tour to Argentina in June.

Francis is one of 16 uncapped players selected by England head coach Eddie Jones for the tour. Born in Gravesend, he started his career at Saracens before heading to New Zealand on a gap year where he was recruited by the Blues and says that testing himself against the likes of Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden in Super Rugby has significantly improved his game.

The 26-year-old, who will be heading to Northampton next season to play in the Premiership, has admitted that he thought a 5am phone call from Jones might have been a prank call on the part of his friends and it only sunk in when confirmation came in from media reports.

Francis told The Rugby Paper: “I was shocked. I’d had no contact with the England set-up at all so it was a call out of the blue when Eddie Jones rang at 5am on a Tuesday morning.

“Fortunately I was up because I was driving my girlfriend to the airport, but it was a pretty surreal conversation and I wasn’t sure what to think when I put the phone down.

“He said he was Eddie Jones and it sounded like him, but I thought some of my mates might have had a big night out and was half expecting to hear giggles in the background.

“I wasn’t sure if it was for real or not but once confirmation came through it was super exciting, not just for me but for my mum, dad and family in England.

“The call has come a little earlier than planned but it’s awesome and I’ll look to take the opportunity and showcase what Eddie sees in me as a playmaker.

“I haven’t spoken to Eddie around his expectations of me positionally, but he likes having two playmakers at 10 and 12 and the extra feather in my bow might help my case in Argentina.

“Competition brings out the best in me and to be competing against the likes of Beauden Barrett (left) and Aaron Cruden in Super Rugby has been massive for my development. Hopefully, I can take that forward with England over the next month now.”

Francis, who is equally adept at playing inside centre, will thus not be eligible for the Blues’ clash with the Lions on June 7 in Auckland.

“That’s disappointing but if ever there was an excuse to miss that game it’s an England call-up,” added Francis.

“My parents are coming to New Zealand but, hopefully, I’ll be back from Argentina in time to see the three Tests before joining Northampton.”