Detysha Harper called up by England to replace injured Laura Keates

England prop Laura Keates has been forced to withdraw from their Rugby World Cup squad due to injury.

Keates, 34, injured her anterior cruciate ligament in training, a cruel blow for a player who was forced to withdraw from the 2017 World Cup squad due to an achilles injury that would see her out of the game for 19 months.

Keates will remain in New Zealand with her family for the duration of the tournament.

The Red Roses have called up Loughborough Lightning’s Detysha Harper as replacement. The 24 year old predominantly plays loosehead, likely meaning Maud Muir will be utilised more on the right hand side of the scrum. Harper has appeared 5 times for England, including appearances in the 2020 and 2021 Six Nations. She is expected to link up with the squad on Monday.