Double boost for England
England forwards Geoff Parling and Alex Corbisiero have returned to full fitness and were named in a 27-man squad to prepare for Saturday’s Test against Argentina at Twickenham.
Leicester Tigers lock Parling has completed the graduated return to play from concussion protocol without complication and he and Northampton Saints prop Corbisiero, who has recovered from a knee injury.
They replace return for Dave Attwood (Bath) and the injured Mako Vunipola (Saracens).
Rob Webber (Bath), meanwhile, is on standby for Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), whose wife is expecting their first child.
England coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We have thoroughly reviewed the Australia game and we are determined to build on the momentum that victory has given us. Training today has been very intense and there is a massive competition because everyone is desperate to be in the team.
“There are a couple of changes to the squad with Geoff and Alex back and it’s great they are back in the mix. Mako is unfortunately struggling with a ligament strain to his knee and is not available for selection this week.
“We have named an extended squad as we need a further 24 hours to assess one or two minor niggles in the build-up to team announcement on Thursday morning.”
England squad:
Forwards: Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Ben Morgan, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola, Rob Webber, David Wilson, Tom Wood, Tom Youngs.
Backs: Chris Ashton, Mike Brown, Luther Burrell, Danny Care, Lee Dickson, Owen Farrell, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Joel Tomkins, Billy Twelvetrees, Marland Yarde, Ben Youngs, Christian Wade.
Released to clubs: Dave Attwood, Freddie Burns, Kyle Eastmond, Alex Goode, Tom Johnson, Matt Kvesic, Henry Thomas, Henry Trinder, Mako Vunipola, Anthony Watson.
