England’s preparation for the Six Nations is further worried by Sam Underhill getting out of the tree.
Bath’s back row has a back injury and has pulled out of the squad. Eddie Jones has opted to call Jack Willis from Wasps to replace Underhill.
The news comes after Joe Launchbury and Joe Marler withdrew Monday. Launchbury held a broken fibula, and Marler withdrew for family reasons. Jones called Charlie Ewels and Tom West respectively for those two players.
Underhill ‘s withdrawal comes as a blow to England. He has been part of their first choice back row and moved on to the 2019 World Cup. He played in their Autumn Cup final against France and would have been a key part of Jones’ plans for these Six Nations.
England are working with a smaller 28-man squad for those Six Nations because of COVID-19 protocols.
Jones has named a 12-man “shadow squad” as a cover, and they will go under the same COVID-19 protocols as the main body.
With Willis added to the tournament squad, Jones has added three more players to the support list: Alec Hepburn at Exeter and Northampton duo Lewis Ludlam and David Ribbans.
England train at St George’s Park this week before returning to Lensbury to continue their preparations for the Six Nations.
Their tournament kicks off on February 6 at Twickenham against Scotland.