Quite a bizarre selection as what's he hoping to achieve? ...
So why so many uncapped players or players with little experience?
Eddie can't pick anyone from Tigers, Sarries, Quins or Saints since they are preparing for playoff semi-finals. Given that proviso, it's a pretty good selection. Gives him a chance to cast his eye over fringe players and see how they perform with the regulars who are available. A bolter or 2 would be a positive outcome.
Jonny Hill is back in the mix, which may explain Launcher's absence. Don't think he will make Aussie trip as he hasn't shown particularly good form lately. If Stooke had been fit he may have ousted Ewells.
I'm 100% aware of the limitations of the selection. Do we really see Paolo or Charlie as likely RWC squad players, Dan even, really? I'm with the others on Dan and that selection is for me representative of the whole.
Who do you pick in place of them?
Eddie has Youngs, Randall, Mitchell and Quirke. Robson too technically. Robson has a lot of England experience, even if he doesn't have many caps. Does Eddie achieve anything by adding a scrum half with no idea of Englands play/patterns for a single Baabaas game?
Robson isn't there for Robson, he's there for the rest of the team, for the few players that may actually kick on and take a RWC spot, or a shirt in the future from that.
Depending on how Paolo does in the coming season, I can absolutely see him breaking into a rwc training squad. He has a near unique selling point. Whilst Charlie may not be ready for the RWC, Eddie doesn't need him to be. However, Charlie is a bloody good player, with resolute defence and not afraid to run a bit, who's shown time and time again to be solid under the high ball. He may not have the flare of a Smith, or the game sense of a Ford, but he's a very solid player who may be able to fill a Farrell role in the future. And again, who would you take in his place that's got a clearly better chance of being the the rwc squad?