Watson is set to claw the Pumas
on the summer tour to Argentina. Likewise any side without Itoje in it would be weakened but England’s strength in depth in the second row is such that they would still be able to pair two Lions there in George Kruis and Courtney Lawes.
Elliot Daly, who rejoined the squad this week after a knee injury, was able to play a full part in the morning training session but Jonny May left early and is set to be ruled out with a hamstring problem.
Jonny Wilkinson put the squad through kicking drills ahead of the opening game of the three-match series, which also features Australia and Samoa.
Afterwards England released seven players back to their clubs, including wing Denny Solomona, retaining late call-up Semesa Rokoduguni ahead of him.
BACKS
OUTSIDE BACKS: INSIDE BACKS:
FORWARDS
BACK FIVE: FRONT ROW: The others to depart were Bath trio Charlie Ewels, Tom Dunn and Zach Mercer, Saracens second-row Nick Isiekwe, Northampton fly-half Piers Francis and Exeter back-row Sam Simmonds. Cutting Simmonds leaves just one specialist No8 in Nathan Hughes so Chris Robshaw is likely to be asked to provide cover against Argentina.
SALE director of rugby Steve Diamond faces an RFU disciplinary misconduct hearing tomorrow for his post-match criticism of referee Craig Maxwell-Keys.
Diamond claimed the official was “making it up” in a BT Sport interview after the Sharks’ home defeat by Exeter on October 27. If found guilty, Diamond will face a touchline ban.
He was banned for six weeks for verbally abusing referee Matthew O’Grady last season.
ENGLAND SQUAD