England's casualty list mounting
INJURY UPDATE: England’s casualty list is mounting at an alarming rate, with at least three more key players out of their training camp this week.
Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) and Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) did not join up with the England squad in Bristol on Sunday – all due to injury.
Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers) has been called up to the squad as a replacement for Tuilagi.
Leicester centre Tuilagi, whose career has been hampered by a series of injuries, last played for England in 2016 and was recalled in the training camp by Eddie Jones to prepare for the upcoming year-end internationals.
However, he will be assessed in the coming days after he sustained niggles during Leicester Tigers’ 37-44 Premiership loss to Worcester Warriors.
It is a big blow for Eddie Jones who spoke of his excitement to have Tuilagi in the fold.
“It’s the first time in the three years I’ve been in England that Manu’s been fit,” Jones said last Thursday, after naming Tuilagi.
“He’s put together a series of games and we’re looking forward to him continuing on that run. He’s got the opportunity to come in and show us what he’s got.”
Jones had named an initial 36-man squad “last Thursday with the most contentious omission being that of Danny Cipriani.
Asked whether it was a form-based decision Jones said: “One hundred per cent. We’ve decided to pick just two fly-halves for this camp. Danny is probably third or fourth and he knows what he has to work on. He understands that.
“We’ve got Owen and George, who I believe are our first choice flyhalves. Danny is disappointed but he understands what he has to do. He is desperate to play for England which is terrific.”
Jones insists that the Gloucester flyhalf still remains in contention for the World Cup.
“He has a great chance. “He has as much opportunity as any players in the squad and outside the squad.”
Ahead of the November Internationals, an England squad will be named on 18 October before they fly to Portugal on 24 October to begin their final preparations for the four-Test series.
England will play South Africa (November 3), New Zealand (November 10), Japan (November 17) and Australia (November 24) at Twickenham Stadium.
England training squad:
Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).
Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers).
