England hope back-row trio will be fit to face Ireland
ENGLAND remain hopeful that back-row trio Mark Wilson, Tom Curry and Sam Underhill will all be fit to face Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.
England want all three available to offset any need to pitch Billy Vunipola into a third Test in as many weeks.
Wilson has been carrying a rib complaint, Curry a shoulder concern and Underhill an ankle problem, but all three trained yesterday at England’s Pennyhill Park camp.
“Those guys trained, trained well, and we’ll continue to monitor them as training progresses,” said forwards coach Steve Borthwick. “We’ve got tonight and tomorrow morning [Thursday] as well before naming the team.”
Lewis Ludlam is unavailable – undergoing a week’s active rest as part of the deal between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Premiership clubs – which increases the need for Wilson, Curry and Underhill to be fit and ease injury woes for head coach Eddie Jones.
Worcester hooker Jack Singleton covered back row in England’s home and away matches against Wales, as Jones prepares for the realities and constraints of the 31-man World Cup squad.
England will hope not to have to be stretched to that extent this weekend however, even in the enforced absence of Ludlam. Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes are also further options to slot into the back row should either lock be required to step out to a loose-forward role.
Mako Vunipola is expected to feature after recovering from hamstring surgery.
Meanwhile, Ben Te’o, who did not make Jones’ squad, has signed for Toulon on a short-term deal.
The 32-year-old centre left Worcester at the end of last season and has now signed for the French club until November as cover while the World Cup is on.
His World Cup omission came two weeks after being involved in a scuffle with team-mate Mike Brown during a social event at the squad’s training camp in Treviso.