SOLOMONA GIVES JONES ‘LE NUDGE’ PREMIERSHIP ROUND-UP

DENNY SOLOMONA celebrated his recall to England’s training squad by scoring a first-half hat-trick in Sale’s 34-25 demolition of Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens.

Winger Solomona (right) was ditched for last week’s camp in Oxford but gave Eddie Jones a massive nudge by touching down three times before the break.

But Saints and Wales wing George North is in for a grilling after missing the game despite coach Alan Gaffney suggesting he was fit to play. North did not make himself available for Saints.

Gaffney said: “We picked the side that actually wanted to be out on the pitch and the best side for Northampton. I’m just disappointed he wasn’t here.”

Former rugby league star Solomona has been called back into a 33-man squad who meet in Bagshot tonight ahead of Saturday’s clash in France.

Newcastle ransacked Kingsholm when they beat Gloucester 21-20 to end the Cherry and Whites’ unbeaten home record in the league. The Falcons are on course for their first appearance in the end-ofseason play-offs.

Exeter No.8 Sam Simmonds gets the chance to force his way into England’s team for next week’s trip to France when he returns from a shoulder injury against Saracens today.

Simmonds, scored twice against Italy in the Six Nations opener, was crocked against Wales three weeks ago. But he is on the bench for champions Chiefs against second-placed Sarries in the rearranged game. Jones has also recalled prop Kyle Sinckler and locks George Kruis and Charlie Ewels to the party after releasing them last week. Bath back row Zach Mercer and Saracens midfielder Alex Lozowski are also in Jones’ group. Lozowski and Kruis line up for Sarries, who have 15 players out injured or in international camps, while centre Henry Slade is back from a shoulder injury for Chiefs.

Sinckler should get a run off the bench for Harlequins against Bath today in another fixture shifted by the weather and Mercer will be in the visitors’ back row with Wales’ Taulupe Faletau.

Danny Cipriani is back at fly-half for Wasps against London Irish after an Achilles injury.

Worcester hooker Jack Singleton and lock Will Spencer come in against Leicester, who have captain Tom Youngs back.