Owen Farrell reclaimed the England captaincy after Eddie Jones decided he is still the man to “drive the competitive spirit” of the team.
Farrell has played only five matches all season, none since requiring ankle surgery in November, so plainly goes into the Six Nations undercooked.
Jones cited that as a reason for omitting both Manu Tuilagi and Sam Underhill from the 36-man squad he named yesterday.
Yet so highly does he prize what Farrell brings to the team environment that he has made an exception of him ahead of England’s tournament opener away to Scotland on February 5.
“Every player is treated differently,” admitted Jones, who proved the point by again ignoring the white-hot claims of George Ford. “Selection comes down to a judgement.
“Owen is the right man to captain because he has the respect of the team, he's a winner and he drives the competitive spirit.
“Very clearly he is the best person, in my judgement, to lead and if he is fit and eligible for selection then he will.
"We believe he can get into his best form very quickly and be right to play against Scotland.”
World Cup winner Matt Dawson says he “struggles” to see where Farrell fits into a team that beat South Africa last time out with Courtney Lawes wearing the armband and Marcus Smith and Henry Slade pulling the strings.
“He hasn't played since November, not been in any form whatsoever and the team are flying on the back of beating the world champions,” Dawson told the BBC. “His inclusion was inevitable, but a little bit strange for me.”
Farrell is due to play his one and only game pre-Six Nations this Sunday for Saracens against London Irish.
A year ago he and his clubmates also reported for duty on the back of no meaningful rugby due to Sarries’ relegation to a league which had not started.
It didn’t turn out well, England suffering their worst ever Six Nations finish.
Jones is adamant that was a one-off, saying: “We will make sure we are not like that. We’re capable of winning this year’s Six Nations.”
To that end he has drafted in six uncapped players including Wasps’ outstanding young hooker-turned-flanker Alfie Barbeary.
Luke Northmore, Ollie Chessum, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Orlando Bailey are the others to get invites to next week’s training camp in Brighton.
There is, however, still no place for Ford, who is tearing it up with table-topping Leicester.
Nor for Tuilagi, who Jones said had suffered a “wee setback” in his return from injury.
That came as news to Sale, who expect him to play against Leicester on Sunday week as has long been the plan.
ENGLAND
Forwards
Alfie Barbeary, Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart
Backs
Mark Atkinson, Orlando Bailey, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Luke Northmore, Jack Nowell, Raffi Quirke, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs.
