No Sam Simmonds in the England squad isn’t really a surprise when you consider what roles Eddie Jones tends to use.

Simmonds isn’t looked at as “a #8” he would be looked at in a depth chart with guys of a certain skill set as needed by Jones to deploy them in a role.

Yes, he’s the European Player of the Year but he’s not competing with Billy Vunipola, he’s competing with the likes of Sam Underhill, Lewis Ludlam and Ben Earl and I would argue all three suit Jones needs more.

Nobody could argue that Sam Simmonds isn’t in “form” but his role in Exeter’s pack would be quite different from what would be expected of him under Jones’ England side so it doesn’t really translate up.

I’m sure he will feature for England again but right now, he’s behind a number of other players who are better suited for what Jones wants from a “small forward”.