England head coach Eddie Jones has left full-back Mike Brown out of his 25-man squad for their crucial test against South Africa in Twickenham this Saturday.
It is the latest blow in a tough year for Brown. The Harlequins man endured a torrid year with his club and admitted in an interview with the Daily Mail it meant he "wasn't enjoying his rugby at all." During the Six Nations earlier this year, he was also dropped from the starting team in favour of Anthony Watson.
It is, however, the first time he has been dropped for the matchday squad when fit.
Jones did recall the 33-year-old during the summer test against South Africa but on the wing rather than full-back. Yet the return to form of Chris Ashton and Elliot Daly's performances at full-back ensure there is no space for Brown in the matchday squad. Jonny May and Jack Nowell take the other winger spots.
England are in desperate need of a positive end to 2018 and Saturday's game will go some way towards ensuring that, particularly given South Africa inflicted their sixth loss in a row last summer when they won 32-12 at the Toyata Stadium.
Forwards: Tom Curry, Charlie Ewels, Jamie George, Dylan Hartley, Alec Hepburn, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Zach Mercer, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Elliott Stooke, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.
Backs: Chris Ashton, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ben Te'o, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs.
