Expanded 36-man Six Nations squad offers greater flexibilityUnvaccinated players unlikely to be able to enter
Italy or FranceEddie Jones is free to select unvaccinated players in a bumper 36-man Six Nations squad on Tuesday despite strict travel rules that look set to rule them out of two of England’s three away fixtures, including a potential decider against
France on Super Saturday.
Jones was restricted to just 28 players last year, when
England finished a dismal fifth place in the table, but a new deal has been struck with the Premiership clubs which allows for greater flexibility. It also means that Jones can name players who will be available for England’s opening match away to
Scotland on 5 February but not for the trip to Italy the following week if they are not fully vaccinated.