Sam Underhill has pulled out of England’s six nations squad with a hip injury. The Bath flanker has been replaced in the squad by Wasps Jack Willis.
Underhill Withdraws from England Squad
Underhill, who has 22 caps for England, would have likely started England’s opening game vs Scotland at Twickenham. Willis joins Ben Earl and Mark Wilson as options to line up alongside Billy Vunipola and Tom Curry. However Eddie Jones has other options in his squad, having utilized second rows Courtney Lawes and Mario Itoje in the back row. There is currently no timetable for Underhill’s return, but he could end up missing the entire Six Nations.
Underhill’s withdraw adds to England selection issue after Joe Launchbury and Joe Marler withdrew earlier this week. Launchbury out with a compound fracture in his leg and Marler for personal reasons were replaced by Charlie Ewels and Tom West respectively. This adds to Kyle Sinckler who missed out on the original squad after being suspended for the game against Scotland, for swearing at the referee during Bristol Bears 20-7 win against Exeter Chiefs.
Lewis Ludlum, Alex Hepburn and David Ribbans have replaced Ewels, West and Willis in England’s shadow squad, adding forward cover for additional injuries. The shadow squad is subject to the same testing protocols as the main squad.
Updated England Squad
Backs – Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson, Max Malins, Jonny May, Paolo Odogwu (see below Tweet), Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ben Youngs, Dan Robson, Harry Randall.
Forwards – Beno Obano, Ellis Genge, Tom West, Will Stuart, Harry Williams, Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Maro Itoje, Charlie Ewels, Jonny Hill, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Willis, Mark Wilson, Billy Vunipola, Ben Earl.
Grateful for the opportunity 🌹
The son of an NHS surgeon, @notoriousPCO knows how lucky the squad are to have the chance to play 🏉#WearTheRose @o2sports
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 3, 2021
2021 Shadow Squad
Listed below are the wider-squad members who can be brought into any 23-man matchday squad.
Charlie Atkinson, Ali Crossdale, Tom Dunn, George Furbank, Joe Heyes, Jonathan Joseph, Joe Marchant, George Martin, Alex Mitchell, Jacob Umaga, Alex Hepburn, David Ribbans.
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