1 - why is the most prolific wing, fastest in the eara not selected- he is playing for an off form team. Radwan would of tore up the championship also getting so much interest from online fans.

2 - no Will Collier issues in the scrum he ignores when there is the most on form prop proving his worth every week

3 - selection of Bailey with no test experience.... with the number of inexperienced players if surely should of been Ford- guess point is proven now Farnell is injured and Ford will be drafted in. I would think he takes the bench spot behind smith. And whilst Bailey is an amazing talent for future it's just too soon.

I know I am just a fan looking from the outside but am I missing something is he seeing something beyond my mind.

I know i have listed 3 above but it could of been 10 - curry at 8, centres on wings etc 

Any thoughts?

My only thought is to not waste time trying to figure out Eddie's selections.

England wing Jonny May will miss the opening two fixtures of the Six Nations with a knee injury and will wait to hear from specialists whether he can play any part in the tournament. May, 31, did not feature for Gloucester against Perpignan on Saturday. He will miss England's games against Scotland on 5 February and Italy eight days later, but is not yet ruled out of the Wales game on 26 February.

Disappointing for May, but an opportunity for others to gain test match experience ahead of RWC 2023.

You're so right WE... altho' at the same time one can't help looking at each squad and scratching one's head. Some interesting thoughts about the latest squad on this week's edition of The Ruck podcast which is produced by the Times

And I think you have hit the nail on the head there Steve - I think this is all about RWC 2023 - these un-blooded youngsters need to cut their teeth in a serious competition to see how they will perform under pressure etc. etc.

I feel for Collier as his form is outstanding how Sinkler keeps his place I have no idea.

Stuff the press - they're just trying to push people's buttons and stir up indignation amongst the readership.

Whether Smith should start all five matches in the Six Nations is another point.  There is a case for having Ford starting with a natural 12 outside of him, and there is also a need to give the third in line fly half some test match time this year.  Perhaps a Smith/Ford rotation over the main four matches, and third in line fly half coming off the bench in the match against Italy - starting berth to which of Smith/Ford needs to up their game after the Calcutta Cup?

A fit Farrell can go on the summer tour to Australia and put down a claim for being picked in the autumn tests.

Ford is the perfect starter and bring on Smith to finish the job, form dictates that above any personal preferences, my personal choice would be for Ford to remain at Leicester for the duration, but that is I guess selfish.

England's Six Nations preparations have been hit with fresh blows ahead of their Scotland opener on 5 February. Utility back Joe Marchant has tested positive for Covid which has left him doubtful, while full-back Tommy Freeman is out with a hamstring injury. Harlequins' Louis Lynagh and Newcastle's Adam Radwan have been called into the squad.

Forwards Courtney Lawes and Jonny Hill have been ruled out of England's Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday. Flanker Lawes is recovering from concussion, while lock Hill has a foot injury. Lawes' absence adds to England's leadership problems with regular captain Owen Farrell out for the Championship. Prop Joe Marler has returned to training following Covid-19 isolation.

Hasn't Itoje been groomed to take on this mantle?

at one stage, yes, then Eddie said in his book he still had development to do, then he said after it was published that MO had developed & therefore might be in frame, who knows?

as one tongue-in-cheek tweet (by @roarzz) I read today said:

As for Furbank, a strong club player, but I do not see what he brings to the squad  . . players like Lozowski or Malins offer more versatility.

Scotland will be feeling quietly confident as an unstructured game will suit them.

Seriously He has had 1 and half hours rugby and of all the centres England have to choose from they are pinning their hopes on him

'all the centres England have to choose from'...

not sure we are quite as well off in the particular position (inside/no12) in question - who else is fit and could play there? I'd like to have seen Atkinson given a go, but Eddie - altho' rating him highly enough to cap him in November - appears reluctant. Slade better at 13 IMHO. Maybe I'm overlooking someone?

All the discarded English coaches

Andy Farrell Ireland

Mike Catt Ireland

Stuart Lancaster Leinster

Graham Rowntree Munster

You probably realise I'm Irish but all these coaches discarded by England have signed 2 year contracts at least to stay in their jobs. You can't say Ireland Leinster or Munster are playing rubbish at the moment. 

So it wasn't the coaches that was  the problem for England. THE PLAYERS

They are not coming through with the quality they should for a country that has ten times more players than many of the other countries. Under 20's lose to Italy The RFU have no idea what's happening  

Yet they have a World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward as a TV pundit and Daily Mail critic. 

Eddie Jones ,Australian Head coach ,Anthony Seibold Australian ,defence coach all on big money

I've lived in England for 50 years and I do care  

This will probably come back to bite me in the b-m at Twickenham. 

Where are you getting your playing numbers from?

It's a common misconception that England has the most registered players, but in reality they only rank 3rd (382,154 players) behind South Africa (405,438 players) and France (542,242 players).

Source:  http://www.google.com/amp/s/www.therugbypaper.co.uk/guest-blogs/38650/rugby-union-countries-with-most-registered-players-ready-to-know/amp/" rel="nofollow - http://www.google.com/amp/s/www.therugbypaper.co.uk/guest-blogs/38650/rugby-union-countries-with-most-registered-players-ready-to-know/amp/

I personally think England have got the player base and money to be doing a lot better than they have, it's the managers that are holding them back, picking their out of form favourites, not blooding-in new players - looking at you here, Eddie Jones. 

Still no Radwan - recall May

I half expect he picks curry at 9 as Youngs instead 100% its a absolute shambles- I would love to see Dean Richards at the helm would be a completely different team - firstly they would all want it every te they touched the pitch

Hamstring. 

Talking about moving Henry Slade to 12. 

If he plays 13 that’s it Bring a regular 12 

England: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Slade, Nowell; Smith, Randall; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Ewels, Lawes (capt), Curry, Simmonds. Replacements: Blamire, Marler, Stuart, Launchbury, Dombrandt, Youngs, Ford, Daly.

Winter vomiting bug?