Eddie Jones Addresses Ben Spencer's Omission

A standout for Bath since arrived at the club and a regular performer for Saracens before then, Ben Spencer has been unable to crack the nod for England despite getting the SOS for the Rugby World Cup Final last November. 

The 28-year-old was omitted from the England training squad that has prepared for a clash with the Barbarians as well as the remainder of England's Six Nations campaign and the Autumn Nations Cup.

Instead, Eddie Jones has turned to the experienced heads of Ben Young, who is set to earn his 100th test cap and Willi Heinze, whos turns 34 this month, to bolster his halfback ranks. Finally, 23-year-old Northampton Saints scrumhalf Alex Mitchell is the third scrumhalf in the squad with the uncapped youngster having spent time on the sidelines before eventually getting a good run of games under his belt with Saints after the resumption of the season.

Speaking to the media this week, Jones was asked about Spencer's absence in the side which he responded to by saying:  “I am not here to talk about players who are not selected.

“I have chatted to Ben [Spencer] about what I think he needs to do and we are very happy with the three half backs we have got.

“Obviously there are a number of other good half backs out there but Ben Youngs is one cap away from 100 caps and is a pretty handy player.

“Willi Heinz has been super for us as another senior player and his role in the team is not just value on the field, but value off the field as well.

“We have had Alex Mitchell in for a while now, ever since the last Barbarians game in fact, and now he has been able to play a little bit of Premiership rugby and we believe he has got a good solid future if he knuckles down and works really hard so that is where we are at the moment.

“That is not to say Ben won’t be considered in the future.”