The announcement of England’s squad for the Rugby World Cup has briefly knocked the return of the Premier League off some of the back pages.
Eddie Jones left centre Ben Te’o and Mike Brown out of his 31-man squad after their altercation during training camp, but the England coach also admitted “he is powerless to stop England’s problem with off-field indiscipline”, reports The Guardian.
And with unfamiliar names such as Willi Heinz, Piers Francis and Lewis Ludlum in the group The Times notes that “what is really striking about this 31-man England squad is that, in many respects, it looks more like a squad for the future and less like a tried-and-tested group of men who have been primed for a World Cup that starts on September 20”.
“This is Jones, unpredictable to the last, and backing his judgment all the way,” says the paper. “And no doubt relishing that familiar experience of flying in the face of public opinion.”
Pogba future unclear
Paul Pogba’s future at Manchester United is still in doubt that that is exercising the minds of some sports editors. “The question mark remains,” said Pogba of his future, despite United’s 4-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
“United bosses have refused to sell the £90m World Cup winner, despite ongoing fears he is not committed to the club,” reports the Daily Mirror, which adds: “The transfer windows in both Spain and Italy remain open, but time is running out for business to be completed.”
Meanwhile, The Sun reports on a “sensational players’ meeting at Crystal Palace”, designed to make sure another unsettled star – Wilfried Zaha – stays loyal to the Eagles.
Defender Mamadoun Sakho “called every first-team player to a highly-charged meeting on the eve of their Premier League opener… without the knowledge of Roy Hodgson.
“The French defender demanded 100 per cent commitment from Zaha until the January transfer window opens. And it led to Zaha agreeing to put his differences with Palace’s hierarchy to one side.”
