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Jacob Umaga is set to become the latest member of his star-studded family of rugby players to win senior international honors after being selected to the England team for the match against Italy in the final weekend of the Six Nations extended by the pandemic.
Jacob, nephew of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and son of former Samoa international Mike Umaga, was rewarded for his great season with the Wasps in the English Premiership by being one of two chosen flying mediums on the 36-man team. with Captain Owen. Farrell.
And with the other number 10, George Ford, unavailable for the match in Rome as he recovers from an Achilles tendon injury, the 22-year-old Umaga is likely to take part in the match against Italy, most likely off the bench. but potentially in the XV if Farrell is selected in the centers.
WASPS RFC / TWITTER
Jacob Umaga talks about the England rugby call-up.
England could win the Six Nations tournament for the first time since 2017 with a bonus point victory, although the outcome of the France-Ireland match later on Saturday will influence the fate of the title.
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Umaga, whose father’s cousin is the late New Zealander winger Jerry Collins, was called up to the England senior camp in January for the start of the tournament after just four starts in his first season in the English Premiership.
He was not part of any of England’s top four squads before the Six Nations was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, but he has remained on coach Eddie Jones’ radar and shone since the restart of the national competition in August.
Umaga, who has played for England Under-18s and Under-20s, scored a try for Wasps in their loss to Exeter in the Premiership final on Saturday.
“Jacob is a 10-year-old who attacks the line and has a lot of courage in the way he plays,” Jones said when naming his team.
“He’s a solid defender and that’s one of the reasons Wasps did so well.
“We had him in camp before in this Six Nations and we were impressed by what he did, so we can’t wait to work with him again.”
Andrew Matthews / Pool via AP
England head coach Eddie Jones has a lot of admiration for Jacob Umaga’s style.
Jones confirmed that Ford will be out for “a couple of weeks,” creating the opportunity for Umaga.
Umaga Wasps’ teammate wing Jack Willis was also selected and could start against Italy after emerging as the leading breakdown specialist in English rugby.
Jones will name his team on Thursday.
England have not played a competitive game since March and were supposed to be out before Italy’s game when they face the Barbarians on Sunday.
However, the match was canceled after several of the club’s invitational players, including former England captain Chris Robshaw, broke coronavirus protocols.
Jones said he was not angry when he heard that the game against the Barbarians was canceled. Instead, he went up to his hotel room and “worked out a plan B” with Farrell.
“We quickly had a plan in place about an hour after the game was canceled and we moved on to the next thing,” Jones said.
“We’re pretty good at these things _ we had the same situation with the typhoon in Japan,” he added, referring to the time when England’s Rugby World Cup group match against France was canceled last year. “This time it was a typhoon a little different.”
England are one point behind Ireland in the final round. Ireland has a point difference of more than 23 compared to England.
France is tied in points with England, who are in second place, but have a points difference of less than two.
England team:
Backs
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 9 games)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 83 games)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 2 games)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 13 games)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 50 games)
Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, uncovered)
Max Malins (Bristol Bears, uncovered)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 3 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 56 games)
Dan Robson (Wasps, 2 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 29 caps)
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, uncovered)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncovered)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 43 games)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 99 caps)
Forward
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 23 caps)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, uncovered)
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 3 games)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 15 games)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 49 caps)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, uncovered)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 38 games)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 65 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, uncovered)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncovered)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester Rugby, 3 games)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 35 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 3 games)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 18 games)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 51 games)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 59 caps)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, uncovered)
