The more the merrier George’s delight at international call-ups

GEORGE Skivington says frontrow pair Harry Elrington and Jack Singleton’s England callups are fully deserved - and is delighted to see so many Gloucester players in their national sides.

Elrington and Singleton joined Jonny May and Mark Atkinson in the 34-man England party ahead of this weekend’s game with South Africa.

The pair got the call and doubled the Cherry and Whites’ representation in the squad after former Hartpury man Ellis Genge tested positive for coronavirus, while Joe Marler does not end his isolation until the eve of the game.

Jamie George has been ruled out because of a knee injury sustained in the 32-15 victory over Australia, becoming the second front line hooker lost to the treatment room after Luke Cowan-dickie’s ankle problem.

Prop Elrington, who joined Gloucester from London Irish in the summer, is uncapped, with hooker Singleton hoping to add to his three caps.

“I am delighted for them - they have both made strong starts to the season and have been rightfully rewarded,” said Gloucester head coach Skivington.

In Harry’s case, it is a recognition of our recruitment of a player who had the skill set but it was not being maximised at his former club.

“I knew that Harry would fit in here and I knew his skills so it was an easy one if we could get it lined up.

“He has had good game time here and is in a good rhythm - we will be having some good shootouts in the front row. It is bringing out the best in all of them but I don’t think Eddie (Jones) knew who he was a couple of months ago.

“Fingers crossed they will get some action but even if they don’t it is a massive experience for them.

“They are thrown into a different environment with the best players in the country and can see how they train, how they prepare for games and hear different voices on the training field.

“Hopefully it is the start of something for them but it is a chance for Eddie and his team to look at them close up.

“It is good to get acknowledgement from England that we have got some quality players here and we want to produce as many England players as we can.

“We have had Lewis Ludlow, Mark Atkinson, Jonny May away with England, and now we have these two, but we have heavy representation across the board.

“It has given me lots of rugby to watch but I don’t mind as it is exciting to see them play for their countries. “We want to see them get called up.” In last week’s games, Wales boss Wayne Pivac hailed Louis Rees-zammit’s “express pace” after he scored a stunning solo try that helped defeat Fiji 38-23 in Cardiff.

The Gloucester wing struck six minutes from time through a 50-metre individual effort.

“That’s what he can do,” Pivac said. “You can’t coach that. It is express pace.

“I was pleased for him. He was marked fairly heavily, and I was really pleased that he showed individual brilliance and the raw pace that he has. It’s great to have him in your side.”

Gloucester-born former Westburyon-severn wing Alex Cuthbert marked his first Test appearance for four years with a crucial try 13 minutes from time and Rees-zammit took centre-stage.

Former Cinderford loan winger Josh Adams, who was due to line up at outside centre, was withdrawn just before kick-off due to a calf muscle issue.

May helped England secure their second victory of the Autumn campaign as Eddie Jones’ side defeated Australia 32-15 at Twickenham.

Santiago Carreras started at fly-half for Argentina in his country’s 37-16 victory over Italy, for whom scrum-half Stephen Varney scored their only try as he sniped from the base of the ruck to get over the line.

Chris Harris started at centre with Adam Hastings coming off the bench as Scotland lost 30-15 to reigning world champions South Africa.

Giorgi Kveseladze also started at 13 in Georgia’s 41-15 loss to France on Sunday while Kirill Gotovtsev started at tighthead prop as Russia lost 49-12 to Spain and Namibia, with Wian Conradie at blindsde flanker, beat Kenya 60-24.

It is good to get acknowledgement from England that we have got some quality players here and we want to produce as many England players as we can George Skivington