Eddie Jones explains England call up for 20-year-old Wasps star Alfie Barbeary

Alfie Barbeary turned 20 last month, only made his Premiership debut in August and has started just twice for his club Wasps.

But despite all this, Barbeary has been called up by Eddie Jones to train with England this week ahead of their Autumn Nations Cup final against France on Sunday.

What’s more, both Barbeary’s starts have come as a blindside flanker, but Jones says he is in the England squad as a hooker – his position when playing for England U20s.

Barbeary has enjoyed a flying start to his club career, whether at hooker or in the back row. He scored off the bench on debut against Worcester in August, then scored a hat-trick of tries on his next appearance, a start against Leicester. He arrives in camp in form too, having scored in Wasps’ defeat at Gloucester on Saturday.

Jones has explained his call up, saying he has been invited to train with England “to shine boots and pick up forks and spoons”.

Barbeary looks set to be released back to Wasps when Jones slims his squad down to 25 on Wednesday evening. Bath’s Tom Dunn, who has made two brief appearances off the bench this Autumn, lost his place in the camp to Barbeary.

“For us, he’s a hooker,” said Jones. “He's got a long way to go before he plays Test rugby, but he's certainly a player of potential and we're looking forward to him training this week.

“He's got to work hard. He's a young lad coming in so he's shining boots, picking up forks and spoons, doing all the apprentice work.”

England will be without Jonathan Joseph this weekend due to a calf injury but could select young centre Ollie Lawrence once again after as groin injury.

Read More

Fans give Autumn Nations Cup a final lift after few moments of note

England player ratings: Underhill and Vunipola shine in win over Wales