Eddie Jones calls up former Western Province lock

INJURY UPDATE: England coach Eddie Jones has called up Northampton Saints lock David Ribbans for the remaining Six Nations matches – against France and Ireland.

This follows confirmation that Courtney Lawes would be unavailable for the remainder of the tournament through injury.

Jones’ side, who are currently on a fallow week, will meet again at their training base, The Lensbury in Teddington, to prepare for their last two matches on Sunday.

England will take on France at Twickenham Stadium next Saturday, March 13, and Ireland in Dublin the following week (Saturday, March 20).

Ribbans, who has been in sensational form for the Northampton Saints since joining the club from Western Province in 2017, was previously called into England’s training squad in October 2020, but did not get game time.

The 25-year-old has played 75 games for the Saints, scoring 15 tries.

Although he never played provincial rugby at school, he joined the WP Institute after school.

At the start of 2015, Ribbans featured in a pre-season friendly for Super Rugby franchise the Stormers – against the SWD Eagles.

He also made his first-class debut in March 2015, starting Western Province’s 25–10 victory over the Boland Cavaliers.

At the start of 2016, Ribbans was named in the Stormers squad for the 2016 Super Rugby season.

However, he didn’t feature in any of their matches.

He played in four matches for the Western Province team that finished top of the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series.

He also made his Currie Cup debut as a replacement in their 52–31 victory over Griquas in Kimberley.