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England star branded 'reckless' to miss All Blacks Tests

England bench is seen during the LipovitanD Challenge Cup match between Japan and England at National Stadium on June 22, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

England second row Charlie Ewels is set to miss his side’s series against the All Blacks after getting red-carded against Japan.

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Despite the 52-17 victory being in the bag, Ewels managed to get red-carded despite being on the field for just six minutes and having been sent off in his last international appearance for England.

Ewels becomes the first player ever to be red-carded in consecutive Test matches after he was given his marching by the match day referee.

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The Bath second-row will now almost certainly miss the upcoming internationals against the All Blacks through suspension after a dangerous clear-out on Michael Leitch.

The 28-year-old was making his return to the England jersey when he came off the bench against the Brave Blossoms in the 66th minute – earning his first cap since his red card against Ireland during the 2022 Six Nations.

With England on the attack in the 73rd minute, Ewels misjudged his clear-out at the breakdown as he came in from the side and hit his shoulder into Leitch’s knee taking the Japan captain to the ground.

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One fan wrote on X: “RIP Charlie Ewels’ international career. That should be a red. Brainless. Off feet, in at the side, straight into Leitch’s knee. Reckless at best, filthy at worst. Hope Leitch is ok.”

Another irate fan wrote: “That’s the end of Ewels’ tour, so needless and dangerous, Leitch was fortunate not to do a ligament because of it. Thought his inclusion was odd in the first place,” while another pointed out: “Incredibly dangerous, looked pretty intentional also. Feel bad for Leitch’s seasoned knees. Bit of a dog shot in all honesty. Hate seeing those. Needs a bit of sports psych to redirect that initial rush of blood. Certainly needs an international time out.”

It could be the end of the Ewels’ Test career. He has earned over 30 caps for England since his debut in 2016. Ewels plays as a lock for Bath, where he has made over 130 appearances since joining the senior squad in 2014. He captained England U20s to the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship final and has also featured for the Bulls.

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Comments

4 Comments
b
bit of a flanker 365 days ago

horrible challenge, reminded me of Darcy Swain v Tupaea 2 years ago and i think Ewels is England’s Swain. Good at club level but bang average international and very reckless discipline-wise. Hopefully do not see him in the jersey again

d
dk 365 days ago

You’ve perfectly described Swain too. Glad to see he missed Joe’s extended squad. This one looked even worse. Disgraceful attack on the knee.

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Nickers 1 hour ago
Scott Robertson names his 35-man All Blacks squad for France series

As always with Razor slightly unorthodox with a few surprises. Last year Blackadder was rushed back into the starting 15 after a long injury lay off and no game time, this year on the back of a good body of work in which he was immense in the final he doesn’t even make the squad. But Finau, who possibly wouldn’t have even been starting for the Chiefs if Parker was fit is the only specialist 6 in the squad. Likewise Havili, great season and a great final, much better than last year by all measures but doesn’t make the cut.


6 mid fielders when 4 will do, but only 5 loosies when 7 would be useful -> Maybe Lakai and Parker come in? No 3rd choice at 10 meaning if one of BB or DMac sustain a mid to long term injury there is no one they are specifically trusting to come into the team and be able to close out matches - maybe they think Love is the 3rd best 10 in NZ?


Great to see Tavatavanawai straight in on the back of a huge season - he should 100% be in the 23. There have been players before like Stevenson or Sotutu who had the season of the their lives and didn’t get picked, so this is great and a little surprising to see.


Only 4 locks and no lock cover among the loosies named. This seems like an area we need to be developing more players rather than concentrating the talent pool down further. Maybe when Darry is fit he finds his way back in, but it would be good to see Lord or whoever the 6th best lock is around the squad too.


One thing I continue to find strange about ABs selection going back many years is that they are obsessed with backs being able to cover multiple positions, but they don’t take advantage of this in any way. The fact that we have 3 players who can play 12, and 3 that can play 13, doesn’t stop them from selecting ALB to cover 12 and 13 giving them 4 options at each position - what is the point of this? Likewise Love, I really like him, especially at 10, But they have Jordan, BB, Dmac who all play 15 at test level, as well as JB who is world class at 15 to cover, so why take up another spot in the squad with yet another 15? Why do we need four options for every position in the backs except 10, which is arguably the most important one where we have not been able to develop a new test player for 8 or 9 years.


And unless there is a big change this year they also don’t use all these utility backs to enable a 6-2 bench split, and will instead pick a specialist winger on the bench to come on and play the last 10 minutes.

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