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Signs not looking good for Manu Tuilagi
By Online Editors
Henry Slade has been called up by England for the first time in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations as he steps up his recovery from an ankle problem, while Manu Tuilagi now looks in a race against time to make the Ireland match.
Slade sustained the injury in Exeter’s 31-22 Gallagher Premiership victory over Leicester in mid-December, forcing him to miss the opening two rounds of the championship.
A statement released by England revealed that Slade and Manu Tuilagi will continue their rehabilitation when they join up with a 25-man squad for a three-day camp in Kensington.
Tuilagi suffered a groin strain in the 24-17 defeat by France that launched the campaign in deflating fashion, forcing him to sit out Saturday’s Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland.
It was hoped he would miss just one game, but his absence from the 25-strong group named by Eddie Jones suggests he also faces a race against time to be fit for Ireland’s visit to Twickenham on Sunday week.
Slade is an alternative to Tuilagi at outside centre, but the clash with Andy Farrell’s unbeaten team may also arrive too soon for him, pointing to Jonathan Joseph’s retention in the number 13 jersey.
Courtney Lawes was involved against France and Scotland but has been rested for the camp that begins on Thursday.
Sale centre Cameron Redpath has also been summoned in addition to the 25.
England 25-man training squad –
Forwards: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), T Curry (Sale), B Earl (Saracens), C Ewels (Bath), E Genge (Leicester), J George (Saracens), M Itoje (Saracens), G Kruis (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), L Ludlam (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Harlequins), W Stuart (Bath), S Underhill (Bath), M Vunipola (Saracens).
Backs: E Daly (Saracens), O Devoto (Exeter), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester), G Furbank (Northampton), W Heinz (Gloucester), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Leicester), O Thorley (Gloucester), B Youngs (Leicester).
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Latest Comments
Yes, I agree, following this logic a Black Fern should’ve won it.
I haven’t followed enough the women’s 7s to state if there wasn’t too many BF players who were sharing the performances, while in the Australian team just one player outshone the others. Just like Savea’s win last year, with too many SA players having great performances.
What might have cost Argentina 7s at least a nomination or the title was that their best player Moneta got injured at the worst moment of the season.
Go to comments9.5 for BB? Show some respect to Italy & one would have to go back a decade to even consider such a BB performance.
DMac should be 10 with Roigard who gets to the ruck & plays with speed. For me, when those two are paired, we look threatening. Cortez should be dropped out of ABs & we blood others.
The 12 & 13 is very lost. Caleb certainly grew as a player this year showing a different dimensions in play & wiser decisions. I'd say he has a better ability to adjust to Centre. Reiko is lost & non-effective.
9.5 for BB 🤣🫢🤣 - the ABs need to move past him. He is & always will be at most a bench player. When he had the reins at 10 for RWC & more, he did nothing. This includes Super as well. Mo'unga had his measure all the time. I get tired of constant loyalty. Give those performing a go, as you have in various forwards & see them shine.
We need to use the squads of ABs & ABs XV in tandem to build nice depth is the Boks do
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