Head coach Eddie Jones has been impressed by Gary Graham at England’s training camp – and says the Cumbrian reminds him of Chris Robshaw.

Former Carlisle Rugby Club player Graham was one of two players who were called up to the England squad for this week’s training camp in Brighton alongside Bath prop Beno Obano.

The 25-year-old Falcons man, the son of Scotland international George, joined the Newcastle side last summer from Jersey Reds.

Flanker Graham, once of Harraby, has since impressed at Kingston Park, and scored four tries in his 10 senior appearances.

Despite the short time with the squad, Jones was pleased with how everyone approached the two-day camp but reserved special praise for the two new boys.

“Attitude has been absolutely first class, [I’ve been] really impressed by the players,” he said.

“I’ve been really impressed by the two new blokes we’ve brought in, Beno Obano and Gary Graham. They’ve done really well at the camp.

“Graham reminds me a bit of Robshaw so he’s not an out and out seven but he’s a good tough boy. He’s got a nice demeanour about him, [and is] hungry, so very impressive.”

The squad gathered ahead of England’s opening match of the NatWest 6 Nations against Italy next month in Rome.

And Jones says the squad must be prepared for different challenges this year as they build up to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“The game is evolving,” he told England Rugby’s website. “I think defence is going to evolve over the next 24 months as sides have defended in a certain way.

“And I think that’s going to change because of law interpretation changes, and we want to be at the head of that queue of how you want to defend.

“In attack, that will be a consequence of defence changing that you’ll need to be able to attack in a number of ways.”

Graham returns to action with Falcons tomorrow as they face Exeter Chiefs. Fellow Cumbrians Chris Harris and Mark Wilson also start.