Two more names off the team sheet
England’s injury list got longer on Monday evening. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Curry will play no further part in the Nations Championship, and Steve Borthwick has to rebuild his side for Saturday’s game against Japan.
Feyi-Waboso hurt his right ankle in the first half against Australia, after a hip-drop tackle from prop Angus Bell. Bell went to the sin bin for it. Henry Pollock replaced the Exeter winger at half-time and scored twice in the 45-22 win. Curry never made the Australia game at all. He damaged his hip in training last week.
The pair are not alone. Seb Atkinson came off in the second half against the Wallabies and will miss Japan with a hip problem. Ollie Chessum (shoulder) and George Furbank (groin) are out too. England are hopeful that all three are back for New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, November 21.
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Who steps in
The wing is the biggest question. Saracens pair Noah Caluori and Tobias Elliott are the obvious fliers to consider. Caluori would win a third cap, having been capped for the first time against Fiji in July. Joe Marchant and Will Joseph could also slide out wide.
At number 12, Fraser Dingwall or Max Ojomoh looks set to take Atkinson’s shirt. Freddie Steward is the likely replacement for Furbank at full-back, which would leave Marcus Smith on the bench as utility cover. Borthwick also said after Sunday’s win that Ben Curry, who impressed against Australia, was unlikely to start against Japan.
England’s 36-man group returned to Pennyhill Park on Monday. Jack Kenningham and Max Hicks were brought in as back-row cover for Ben Curry and Chessum, while Archie McParland is back in training after a calf injury.
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