Shields and Cipriani bolster Farrell-lead England

Owen Farrell will captain an England squad to South Africa that includes a first call-up for Danny Cipriani in the Eddie Jones era.

The 30 year-old Cipriani last played for England in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup.

Hurricanes captain Brad Shields, set to join Wasps, is among the seven uncapped players in the 34-strong squad.

Danny Care, James Haskell and Dan Cole are among those rested but there is a recall for fit again Billy Vunipola at No 8.

Jones described the tour has potentially history-making because England”s historical lack of success in South Africa.

“Our tour to South Africa will be the most exciting challenge for us as a group since 2016,” said Jones in a Rugby Football Union statement.  “We have an opportunity to create some history next month and win the Test series, something no England side has done before,” he added.

England

Backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester) Denny Solomona (Sale)
Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, capt), George Ford (Leicester), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Cameron Redpath (Sale), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te’o (Worcester), Ben Youngs (Leicester)
Forwards
Tom Curry (Sale), Ben Earl(Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Willis (Wasps), Mark Wilson (Newcastle). Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter)

Fixtures (all 17:05 kick-off)

June 9: South Africa v England, 1st Test, Johannesburg

June 16: South Africa v England, 2nd Test, Bloemfontein

June 23: South Africa v England, 3rd Test, Cape Town