Former Fylde player among England's Elite

Josh Beaumont has been chosen for the England Elite Player Squad

The former Fylde man, now with Sale Sharks, has been named in head coach Eddie Jones’ 45-man EPS line-up – as well as a 37-man training camp.

That latter selection saw him begin training yesterday with the other players at Brighton College.

The camp will end tomorrow before Jones names his squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series matches against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia which are taking place later in the year.

“The Old Mutual Wealth Series will be a big challenge and the players will need to step up to the mark,” said Jones.

“With a number of players missing through injury it’s a good opportunity for others to put their hands up and show us what they’re made of.

“I think it’s a good situation to be in. Injuries allow us to strengthen the depth of our squad and develop robustness.

“Ideally, by the Rugby World Cup in 2019, we’re looking to have three players in every position who are interchangeable.

“At the moment we have seven of our most influential players not playing regularly for their clubs, but that should be no excuse.

“England have not beaten South Africa since 2006 and this needs to change.”

Second-rower Beaumont is joined by six other uncapped players; back-row forwards Sam Jones, Nathan Hughes (both Wasps) and Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers) have been called up, as have scrum-half Dan Robson (Wasps), centres Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) and Joe Marchant (Harlequins).

The squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series is due to be named on October 26.