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Haskell and Marler given chance to impress
By Alex Fisher
James Haskell and Joe Marler will get the chance to stake a claim for a place in England's squad to face Scotland in the Six Nations after being named in Eddie Jones' 32-man training group.
Haskell and Marler were unavailable for England's victories over Italy and Wales due to suspension.
They were included in Jones' pre-tournament squad and return to the fold as the competition takes a break ahead of round three later this month.
England will train against Georgia on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of their build up to the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland on February 24.
Haskell and Marler will be eligible to play at Murrayfield and will hope to force their way back in despite impressive performances from England so far.
Nathan Hughes and Denny Solomona are also in the extended squad, but Alex Hepburn, George Kruis and Sam Simmonds do not feature despite being in the 23 that beat Wales – the latter starting at number eight.
England squad:
Forwards: Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Charlie Ewels, Jamie George, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Nathan Hughes, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Joe Marler, Zach Mercer, Sam Moore, Chris Robshaw, Sam Underhill, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams.
Backs: Mike Brown, Danny Care, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Gabriel Ibitoye, Jonathan Joseph, Harry Mallinder, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Denny Solomona, Marcus Smith, Ben Te'o, Anthony Watson, Richard Wigglesworth.
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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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