Eddie Jones poised to select unvaccinated England players in 36-man Six Nations squad

England head coach Eddie Jones will be given free rein to select unvaccinated players in a Six Nations squad on Tuesday even if they are forced to miss away fixtures against Italy and France. The uncapped trio of Wasps’ back row Alfie Barbeary, Worcester flanker Kyle Hatherell and Bath fly half Orlando Bailey were being considered for call-ups in Jones’ 36-man squad.

Building on a successful autumn international campaign in which England beat world champions South Africa, the squad is likely to have a youthful flavour in line with Jones’ ‘New England’ project. Crucially, Jones will have the freedom to bring players in and out of the squad over the course of the Six Nations unlike in last year’s Championship when he was restricted to a static 28-man squad. The greater flexibility means that any unvaccinated players can be swapped out of the squad for the trips to Rome and Paris on February 13 and March 19 respectively when strict travel rules would preclude their involvement in those fixtures.

On Sunday, the French government introduced a new “vaccine pass” law which not allow exemptions for athletes. Similarly, entry to Italian stadiums are only open to those who have a Super Green Pass which applies to those who are fully vaccinated or have contracted Covid-19 in the past six months. The Rugby Football Union is understood to be relaxed about the requirements and would abide by any domestic laws, even it meant leaving star players at home.

Although centre Henry Slade has previously stated that he would not get vaccinated, it is understood that the vaccination rate for Jones’ autumn squad was far in excess of 85 per cent. Meanwhile, the ’New England’ project will get a further refresh when Jones announces his squad on Tuesday. Jones’ has been keeping tabs on a number of young players whom he hopes can be developed in time for the 2023 World Cup.

Barbeary’s staggering potential has been long established and Jones had planned on calling him up for the autumn internationals before he tore his hamstring. Fit again, Barbeary has been turning heads with back-to-back man-of-the-match performances in Wasps’ upset victories against Leicester Tigers and Toulouse. Far less profiled is Hatherell, who was signed from Championship side Jersey by Worcester last March. Born and raised in South Africa, Hatherell is English qualified and can play at blindside, No 8 and in the second row.

“He is a typical, abrasive South African blindside flanker,” Alan Solomons, the Worcester director of rugby, said. “I am aware of the fact that he is being considered for the broader England squad. I think they like that abrasiveness and physicality. Having him in the squad with the quality of coaching England have will be hugely beneficial for him.”

Another South African born back row under consideration is Ruan Ackermann who has played a key role in Gloucester’s forward resurgence this season. The loose forward selections are poised to be one of Jones’ most interesting selection areas as he has also been keeping tabs on Leicester’s uncapped 21-year-old lock Ollie Chessum and Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe who was last capped on the 2017 tour to Argentina.

Behind the scrum, Bailey is in the reckoning for a fly half slot. A shining light in an otherwise dismal season for Bath, who have won just once, Bailey’s inclusion would likely to come at the expense of Leicester’s George Ford, who has just won player of the month. Aside from Bath back Anthony Watson, most first choice players are available to Jones, although captain Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi have not played for several weeks because of injury.