Dave Ewers, Henry Slade and Thomas Waldrom are among England’s additions to their training squad for the 2014 QBE Internationals following the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Round 2.
The Exeter Chiefs trio come in as injury cover for James Haskell (Wasps), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints) and Billy Vunipola (Saracens).
Burrell is remaining with Saints for specialist assessment on his injured right hand on Monday and Tuesday while Vunipola will undergo the return to play protocol in camp after suffering concussion in Saracens’ game at Munster on Friday. Haskell is still getting over a viral infection and, with Will Fraser (Saracens) also suffering a concussion, Ewers comes in.
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) and Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) will also train with the squad as cover for the players involved in Sunday’s European games.
Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) and Alex Waller (Northampton Saints) have been added as cover for David Wilson and Joe Marler, who have calf and thigh injuries respectively, and will have limited training this week. Both are expected to be fit by the weekend.
Tom Wood has remained in Northampton with his wife pending the birth of their third child and will join the squad later this week.
England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We always anticipated bringing in additional players following the European games, either to cover injuries or for training.
“Luther will be assessed by a specialist over the next 48 hours and our medics are in close contact with Saints so we’ll know more in a few days but it’s great to be able to bring in Henry (Slade). Billy (Vunipola) will undergo the return to play protocol with us and will resume training once he has completed that.
“Injuries are inevitable but we are excited about the group we have in camp. We are raring to go and looking forward to getting out on the training pitch tomorrow.”
England Squad (41)
Loose-head props
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)
Tight-head props
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Hookers
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)
Locks
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Back rows
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)*
Scrum halves
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Fly halves
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
Centres
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Back threes
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
*Not currently in camp
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Here’s hoping Slade impresses on training. Rumours are of an Eastmond/ Barritt 12/13 axis. That wouldn’t be the worst combination given the circumstances, but I would have concerns about how much ball our bank three would see if the ball gets to BB.
I think in the circumstances Eastmond and Barritt could be the best combination. If Burrell is fit, I would like to see him with Eastmond, but I’d be happy with Barritt in there.
Benjit, would you think the same if Manu was playing 13 alongside Eastmond? The ball hasn’t got past Manu much when he’s played for England. He does create more of a hole than Barritt, but Barritt is probably better at offloading. Or at least offloading when the time is right!
For me Manu is less of certainty for that exact reason. But I am in very small minority. Although his ability to get over the gain line and suck in defenders is second to none, England rarely seem to take advantage of it.
I think there is a real problem at Leicester, that the injury situation is hiding. Players just aren’t developing. Are Manu and Ben Youngs any better than they were 4 years ago when they exploded on the international scene? If anything they are going backwards. And look at the players who’ve left and got better; Ford, 12t, Brookes (there are probably others).
I know this a bit unrelated to your original point, but I real feel Cockerill has a touch of the Andy Robinson about him: great forwards coach but a terrible manager/ DoR. Players regressed under Robbo like they are with Cockerill, Manu had a tidy offloading game, but I can’t remember when I last saw it for England.
So yes in a round about way Barritt with Eastmond I can live with and if as you say BB has developed an offloading game then great.
Good point about tualgi, lots of injuries but really strong strength in depth too, all the players coming in could warrant a starting place.
I think it must be eastmond/barritt, we know Lancaster wants the playmaker at 12 and the muscle, if you like at 13. 12trees doesn’t warrant a starting spot so in goes eastmond, with Burrell injured Itl be barrit. Worst things have happened, it might not set the world alight but I think they compliment each other quite well. Barritt also has an o’drisicoll like ability over the ball too. I’m not saying that makes up for his weaknesses as a playmaker but eastmond should account for that. I think our back line defence will be a lot stronger than in the third test with Farrell, rokodeguni and barritt in.
Is anyone worrying about savea vs rokodeguni? I haven’t seen the latter play too much (I presume they’ll be starting opposite one another) it’s a hard game to make your debut in!
I think Barritt is a good, often, underrated player but I would prefer to see Eastmond and Joseph get a chance to replicate club form. Any combo is short of time and experience together in midfield before AI so a club combo is as good as any…and there on fire together!!!
The tight forwards look reasonably solid (although I wonder if Attwood will get much of a go as I doubt he’ll ever start under SL unless the rest of the 2nd row comes down with the Norovirus), but it’s in the back row that I see issues for England. Is it going to dominate the SH? Will it get to the breakdown in numbers quickly enough to either gain or turn over enough possession? To prevail, England surely must dominate here, but I just don’t see this happening. Also, apart from Care & Farrell (alas in the latter’s case), who has a nailed on backline spot? Compare this with their oppo in Nov & be scared, be v scared. Seriously though, isn’t this also a real concern for England? And that’s not to mention their midfield’s relative inability (due in part to lack of approp coaching) to run straight &/or create room for those wide out. If they can’t grind a win up front, where do their points come from? The ref? As I don’t see SANZA rolling over here, could it be a long day or 3 for England?
Interestingly enough Care probably isn’t nailed on with Young playing well. Farrell, Eastmond, Yarde and Brown are all dead-certs to start so I have no idea what you are on about here.
Can you a name a guaranteed Aussie back line? Nope. Probably couldn’t name any more guarantees in the SA back line either with changes on the wing and at 9/10.
We all know NZ are the most settled side in world rugby, good for them.
On the back row, again, madness. A back row of Robshaw, Wood and Vunipola will match anyone. Robshaw for the better of McCaw over three games in the summer so it really is not a worry. Our back row also dominated Australia this time last year.
I know, I know, don’t feed the troll. I can’t help it when he re-types and re-types the same nonsense over and over again.
I wouldn’t say Yarde was a dead cert to start. SL has already stated that May and Nowell haven’t done enough wrong to be dropped. I would rather see Yarde and Roko starting, but I think SL may go with May and Nowell. Also I’m not sure on Farrell either. Only just coming back from injury, and not at his best again yet. At the moment I would have Ford at 10, with Farrell on the bench to cover 10 and centre.
I wouldn’t say that Youngs is playing that well either. If you were picking on club form then Wigglesworth should be starting. He’s been the most consistent scrum half so far this season.
Personally I would say Brown is the only dead cert. The only player in the back line not to have lost any form or been injured for too long.
Is Yarde not the incumbent after NZ? I’d be very surprised not to see him on the wing. Roko is less certain as he hasn’t spent much time with the suwad, but I’m sure he will be in the coming weeks.
On SH – it is really between Youngs and Care. They are the two top 9s in the squad who have shown they have the all round game to play at 9 internationally. For me, this reason, Youngs has been better than Care so he’d start. Think it is really between those two though.
I’m not worried about Rokodeguni vs Savea but more on his could be performance at international level. Watching Rokodeguni in the Barbarians match, Rokodeguni was poor he looked completely lost & failed to adept quickly. But then i remember Yarde was lost during the Wallabies match. So i’ve hope Rokodeguni can adapt fast just like Jack Nowell did.
Also there are other problems Rokodeguni is able to shine because of Ford and Eastmond & maybe some poor defense but would he be able to do the same if Farrell was on the pitch.
I like that Slade got called up, if Slade was 13 and Ford was 10 it would give us a second kicker & no 12t should not kick for goal.
Well Jacob,
…You’re right about Brown. I could have been clearer & reffed to the rest of the England b/line i.e. centre & wing. However, as you’ve been following me around with all the relentlessness of Witch finder General & as such an erudite bod, you will therefore recall that I’ve prev sung Brown’s praises as the ‘best’ of England’s players – because he is esp elusive, runs with the ball… & makes breaks! V un-English (altho he was a little jaded at the end of last yr). And besides, yr WC winner Dallaglio must also be a troll then, because I was merely echoing HIS views (on this backline issue @ least) in the last ST! He too thinks Care is a starter, but you likely know more than both of us. Regds Oz/SA backlines, they are pretty much settled baring injury, but I’m can’t be arsed quoting these here & wasting my time. We’ll see whose b/row is gonna back who up soon enough, but if I’m talking such bollough, why so hot under the collar ol’ bean? Element of truth starting to undermine yr somewhat overblown claims? And if England were SO dom in the loose, how came they lost the last 4 v the under-gunned ABs?! I note that, as I troll 2 another, you declined to answer this last up. Happy days.
At which point did I contest your comment regarding England fluidity in their back line? Dallaglio pointed in out yes, as does anyone who has two eyes and has been England play. Are they better than four years ago? Yes by a mile, are we NZ or Australia? Not even close.
“Also, apart from Care & Farrell (alas in the latter’s case), who has a nailed on backline spot? Compare this with their oppo in Nov & be scared, be v scared.” – this is what I replied to.
You asked who else is guaranteed – I then named 5 of the 7 backs…..
I’d love to hear what you think the obvious Aussie back line is. Is it White or Phipps at 9? Or Genia when fit? Beale at 10? Or os it Foley? What about when Cooper is fit? Toomua or Lealiifano at 12? Does AAC play 13 or Kurindrani? Who are the two obvious first choice 10s? During the last 3 months alone a bunch of these players have started in these positions so please don’t tell my anything about Australian rugby is settled.
SA are far more settled, but it was only a few games ago that they have decided to plump on a new 10, and I’m still not convinced anyone but Dupreez will play at 9 if he is available.
So yes, England are settled in most positions. And yes, like every other team outside of NZ, there are still positions to be debated.
Lastly, it is becoming extremely difficult not to follow you round this blog when you comment on every single post that mentions the world England.
Can someone please wipe the chip off Don P’s shoulder?
England are very settled in the pack, bar injuries we know all the dead certs. It’s a shame Haskell has bee laid low by a virus I would have liked to see him play alongside Robshaw and Vunipola, I’m a big fan of wood but i think haskell is more physical and a better carrier. I see England edging it upfront, both at the scrum and the breakdown, McCaw’s past it now, and I see Vunipola having another stormer against Read.
The backs, yes were not as settled as NZ (sigh) but we will still be competitive and offer a decent attacking threat. If rokodeguni goes well and eastbond plays like he has for Bath then i can see us having an edge here too.
“McCaw’s past it now, and I see Vunipola having another stormer against Read.” … Oh, I would love to see that (partly because if Englands backrow can make hay against NZ then I think Wales will also be able to do so) but I think you write McCaw off too easily Banastre. However, if that comes to pass I’ll happily accept the “told you’s” when they’re dished out. One possible thing in our (the NH teams this autumn) favour is that I swear I didn’t imagine it but I saw McCaw get pinged at least twice this season for offside and not rolling away at the ruck. I think the invisibility cloak might be getting worn out.
And as for that chip you mention – that thing you mention is single handedly responsible for making this diehard “anyone but England” old Celt cheer for England now whenever they play the ABs. My enemies enemy is my friend.
I know what you mean Brighty, think McCaw’s cloak may be in the wash- first of all a yellow card now penalties for BEING OFFSIDE?? This is Richie McCaw. The referee’s base the offside line on him, not the other way around…
(Though other than that still a sublime player and even past his best would pretty much walk into any side in the world.)
Cringed at the McCaws past it comment. MoM coming up then. Have to say that in recent years he does seem to have actually been reffed though, unlike before, when the refs would ask him what decision they should make at the break down!
Jacob You (& others) are so defensive! I mentioned lack of nailed on’s in the b/line. Surely a reasonable observation as 12trees, like Barritt, seems to have fallen from favour & Tui is an experimental wing(?… & crocked), May was slammed for going infield & Nowell’s inexp saw these 2 discarded for Yarde & or potentially Wade(?). However Yarde has blundered a few recently on ‘D’ or spilled the pill, Burrell (now crook, like Wade) or Eastmond a poss for inside centre (but which?), etc, etc, so why the personal vitriol? And just because you name yr starters, that doesn’t alter my (or LD’s) view & anyway it’s just yr opinion, to which you, like I am to mine, are entitled… & that’s it. The Oz backs = White (Phipps bench), Foley, (Cooper if fit), Toomua (Lealiifano bench), Kurindrani, AAC, Horne & Falau. This does change during, sometimes before, a game due to availability, maybe form & reserves. SA back 3 you know, Le Roux, Habana, Hendricks, prob Pienaar @ ½ (if fit), Pollard fly1/2, Serfontein(?), De Villiers @ centre… altho some experimentation. They seem more settled to me, if not you. PS We, er, are in England are we not?
Perhaps I was guilty of a little trolling myself about the McCaw comment, he’s certainly not past it. Good to hear youl be supporting us against NZ Brighty. Also good to see Don P hasn’t commented in a while, perhaps the chip is off!
Banastre
What chip? If England had been flogging NZ & when I make/made my comments I could understand your contention, but as it stands it’s baseless.
Regds yr ‘McCaw’s past it now’ comment, ditto. It’s just an unsubtle needle. Ho, hum. And anyway, the ST pundit SJ has already expressed similar sentiments, so yr view’s old hat & like his, as baseless as yr ‘chip’ contention. I don’t need to defend RM as the AB selectors maintain faith which, judging by his blinder v Oz last up & which presumably neither you nor SJ watched, is justified. But we’ll both know better on the 8th I guess.
brighty
Good to see that you’ve emerged from yr burrow like a, well, groundhog.. now whwere have I haerd that 1 before? However, I am a little disappointed in that you still can’t address me directly. Surely I’m not still in Coventry with the Prophet Enoch?! Besides don’t you have mind of yr own in that you blame me 4 yr being an England cheerleader now… is SJ of the ST yr dad??
Henry
I think you’re right about Ritchie McCaw, there’s clearly a conspiracy amongst IRB refs to go easy on him.
Banastre, brighty
What, have you both done runners after lobbing yr hand grenades?! Well, brighty’s been sulking for nearly a yr now, so no surprise there I suppose.
And BTW Banastre, does Lawrence Dallaglio also have a chip for sharing similar views concerning England’s back line? Or are you just being 1 eyed or summat? Actually, that also applies to the bright 1 doesn’t it? Why DON’T you update that logo brighty? Bit over due innit?
C’mon, you were both having a giraffe, weren’t you? Ah well, cherrio ladies.
Take it easy son, it’s a rugby blog
Banastre
Absolutely Dad. Each to his own eh?