Eddie Jones' exclusions and what they mean.

Danny Cipriani, Ben Morgan, Brad Barritt, Tom Wood, and Tom Youngs are all players that new England head coach Eddie Jones has decided to leave out of his eagerly anticipated EPS, announced earlier today,

But what does it mean? Is it a sign of faith in new talent or a sign of poor selection from his predecessor, Stuart Lancaster?  Are his actions justifiable or is he just trying to put down a marker at the expense of those mentioned above.

Well... just to be really annoying, I think it's a bit of everything.

Eddie Jones is a man of exceptional experience having coached in two world cup finals, one of which he won with the Springboks and one he lost because of a certain drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson. He's coached in England with Saracens and made Japan look like world beaters in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

So it does seem that he knows what he is talking about. Arguably more so than Mr. Lancaster ever did.

But still, I sit here looking over the EPS squad with a sort of mixed reception.

Danny Cipriani is one of those players who is just unlucky enough to be competing against two players are pushing world class, Owen Farrell and George Ford. I think for him to get into that England he has simply got to carry on as he has been doing for Sale Sharks and wait out for a dip in form from either of his positioned rivals.

Brad Barritt's absence I think is one which leaves a strange taste in your mouth.

He is an unbelievable players with outrageous defence capabilities but I think Jones is looking for his team to be all about going forward and not going backwards. Barritt gives very little in terms of attack. This isn't to say he is a bad player, as he is not, but when looking at the others selected instead of him you can see far more attacking threat than you would from him.

Tom Wood is an aging player who, though is consistent and possesses quality leadership skills, is just not one Jones sees for the future. His drop from the team is one that I can understand from both Jones' point of view and Tom's. He is certainly good enough to be in the team if injuries crop up but maybe there are more exciting players out there to pick.

Now...

If there is one decision I cannot understand, it is the dropping of Ben Morgan and Tom Youngs.

Ben Morgan, in my eyes, is England's best number 8 and certainly better than Vunipola.

Why?

Watch any England game and see what he does when he comes off the bench. His ball carrying power is something to be frightened of and his overall presence on the field is felt even through the television screen. He is a player that should be in that team and Jones' decision to drop him is one that makes me scratch my head out of frustration and curiosity.

The same can be said with Tom Youngs.

The Leicester man has been a consistent starter for England with Hartley mucking about with his atrocious disciplinary record.

Granted his throwing has never been that consistent but what he lacks in that department he makes up in his power on the field.

He is an exceptional carrier of the ball and runs far quicker than any other hooker I have seen, this not being that surprising with him being a centre at the start of his career. Did you know that?

I think that dropping these two players is maybe a step too far in terms of 'changing things up'.

But what it does show is that Jones is a man of his word and certainly is starting fresh. He comes across as a man who will hold no prisoners and I for one can't wait to see how he moulds this England team to what he describes can be the most dominant side in world rugby.

MJ