Andy Goode insists ‘no one can understand’ why Eddie Jones snubs Sam Simmonds and insists Marcus Smith is ‘ready now’ to challenge Owen Farrell and George Ford

Andy Goode insists ‘no can understand across the world’ why Eddie Jones does not pick Sam Simmonds for the England squad and believes Marcus Smith is ‘ready now’ for his chance.

The 2019 World Cup finalists have endured a tough 2021 following their Six Nations win at the back end of last year, with a mixture of indifferent results and performance souring that achievement.

Defeats to Scotland and Wales have left England fourth in the table with just one round of fixtures remaining of the Championship, with no chance of retaining their crown.

In particular, defeat in Cardiff to a Welsh side now chasing an unexpected Grand Slam will have irked some critics of this English side as the normally reliable back row were bested by their counterparts in red.

Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry and Mark Wilson put in decent performances at the Principality, but Josh Navidi, Toby Faletau and Justin Tipuric edged the battle.