Josh McNally gets England call ahead of Barbarians clash

Josh McNally has been named in Eddie Jones’ England squad ahead of the Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium this Sunday (kick-off 3pm, live on Sky Sports Action). 

McNally’s inclusion in the 35-man squad comes hot on the heels of the England U20s squad announcement, which saw four London Irish academy graduates getting the nod to take part in this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship.

The powerful second-row, 27, enjoyed a strong finish to the 2017/18 campaign with three tries in five appearances for the Exiles to force his way into the England reckoning. McNally, who is uncapped, will compete with the likes of Chris Robshaw, Joe Launchbury and Nathan Hughes for a starting berth this weekend.  

Meanwhile, following Harlequins’ announcement today that England coach Paul Gustard will join the club as head of rugby following the conclusion of the South Africa tour, Jones said: “I wish Gussy all the best at Quins. He is a talented young English coach and a very good choice for the role. He has made a big contribution to the England coaching team as our defence coach and I’m happy that he has this opportunity to develop and prove himself in a head of rugby role.”
 
A recruitment process is underway for a new defence coach.
 
Backs
 
Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Cipriani (Wasps)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
Elliot Daly (Wasps) **Wednesday
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Jason Woodward (Gloucester Rugby)*
 
Inside backs
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints)
Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors) *
Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *
Dan Robson (Wasps) *
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)*
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby)*
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
 
Forwards
 
Back five
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks) *
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby) *
Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps) ** Tuesday
Joe Launchbury (Wasps) ** Thursday
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *
Josh McNally (London Irish)*
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Jono Ross (Sale Sharks)*
Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby) *
Mark Wilson (Newcastle)
 
Front row
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers)*
Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors) *
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors) *
 
* Uncapped players
** Arrival into camp