Double boost for England ahead of Ireland clash

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his 36-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations fixture against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium.

The squad has been boosted with the inclusion of backs Marcus Smith and Alex Mitchell.

The duo was with the squad in the north of England last week but weren’t officially part of the 36 as they were listed as additional players who were continuing their rehabilitation from respective calf and knee injuries.

Flyhalf Smith missed all three England matches in February after he picked up his injury in Girona on the Monday prior to the championship opener away to Italy in Rome, while Mitchell was unavailable for the February 24 loss in Scotland due to an injury sustained when training at Twickenham on the Friday after the Round Two win over Wales.

Their availability for the March 9 Round Four clash versus title favourites Ireland will be seen as a massive boost in the wake of England’s demoralising 21-30 defeat at Murrayfield.

Aside from the recall of Smith and Mitchell, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is also included after he was marked absent last week.

Additional source: @RugbyPass