BEN Morgan, Dave Attwood and Mako and Billy Vunipola remain firmly in Stuart Lancaster’s 2015 Rugby World Cup plans after keeping their places in England’s Elite Player Squad (EPS).
Former Dursley player Morgan will battle for the No8 shirt during the Six Nations with Billy Vunipola, who grew up in Thornbury along with his brother Mako, while ex-Frampton Cotterell youth player Dave Attwood will be looking to add to his five caps.
The quartet are part of the 35-man Six Nations squad that will assemble at Pennyhill Park on Monday, January 20 and look to press their claims ahead of the first game against France in Paris on Saturday, February 1.
England head coach Lancaster made only one change to the EPS, with George Ford replacing Toby Flood at fly half, while eight players have been promoted from the Saxons to the Six Nations squad to cover injuries.
Lancaster said: “We have kept changes to a minimum because we believe that this squad can take us forward into 2015 and we are hopeful that some of those injured may be available before the end of the Six Nations and certainly for the New Zealand tour [in June].”
The Six Nations squad has an average age of 24 – the same age as Gloucester star Morgan - while Saracens duo Mako, 21, and Billy, 20, are among 11 players under 23.
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