Underhill replaces concussed Curry

SAM UNDERHILL is set to be recalled by England for the second Test against Australia to fill the void left by his fellow ‘Kamikaze Kid’ Tom Curry, who is ruled out with concussion. The Bath flanker has had a tough season, plagued by concussions, injuries and his club’s dire campaign but is expected to beat Lewis Ludlam and Jack Willis to the openside spot when Eddie Jones names his starting XV tomorrow. Curry is flying home today as it is his third concussion in six months. Defence coach Anthony Seibold gave an emphatic endorsement of Underhill, saying: ‘Sam was one of the outstanding players at the 2019 World Cup. He’s had a disrupted year but he’s competed to put himself in the frame. His work rate on and off the ball is excellent.’ Meanwhile, Jonny May is set to miss the second Test — and his whole series is in doubt after a hard-hitting bout of Covid. The wing missed the first Test, having only left isolation the day before. ‘It was a long seven days for Jonny,’ said Seibold. ‘He’s back on his feet today running but didn’t join the team.’ England will miss May’s pace and now Jones must decide whether to persist with Joe Cokanasiga or gamble on either rookie sensation Henry Arundell or the uncapped Tommy Freeman.

The Wallabies will be without lock Darcy Swain for the rest of the series after he received a two-week ban last night for headbutting Jonny Hill in the first Test. Fly-half Quade Cooper could also miss the whole series due to the calf injury he suffered just before kick-off in Perth, while prop Allan Alaalatoa is likely to miss out in Brisbane due to concussion.