Heinz out of final Six Nations game with ‘leg soft tissue’ injury

GLOUCESTER scrum-half Willi Heinz has been ruled out of England’s Six Nations finale against Italy on Saturday because of an unspecified leg injury.

Alex Mitchell has been called into Eddie Jones’ camp as a replacement and will compete with Dan Robson for the role of supporting Ben Youngs, who is expected to win his 100th cap in Rome.

England described Heinz’s issue as a “leg soft tissue injury”.

Three other Gloucester players, Jonny May, Jack Singleton and the uncapped Ollie Thorley, are in the squad for their final 2020 Six Nations game and the forthcoming Autumn Nations Cup tournament.

England face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (4.45pm), knowing a bonus point win could see them lift the trophy.

They then return to begin their Autumn Nations Cup campaign at Twickenham Stadium where they will play three Quilter Internationals.

England will play Georgia (Saturday November 14, 3pm KO) and Ireland (Saturday November 21, 3pm Ko).they will then face Wales away (Saturday November 28, 4pm KO) before a placing match at home to determine final position in the competition (Sunday December 6, 2pm KO).

Alongside the Gloucester players are ex-sir Thomas Rich’s School pupil Sam Underhill, Wasps’ ex-gloucester scrum-half Dan Robson and former Hartpury students Ellis Genge and Jonny Hill.

The Italian squad includes Gloucester pair Jake Polledri and Stephen Varney, alongside former Cherry and Whites scrum-half Callum Braley and ex-hartpury back row Seb Negri.

Wales face Scotland in their final Six Nations game with two Gloucester players hopeful of coming up against each other.

Centre Chris Harris played in Scotland’s warm-up win over Georgia, while Louis Rees-zammit finally won his first cap for Wales as they were beaten by France.

After becoming Wales’ 1,158th international player, he tweeted: “A dream come true to represent my country, thank you to everyone who supported me.”

The clamour is growing in Wales for him to start against the Scots - and has been backed by the legendary Gareth Thomas.

“I think he has got the potential to be able to start next week,” said the former threequarter.

“He can just go out there and replicate what he has done for Gloucester in an international.”

Gloucester-hartpury’s Natasha Hunt is in the England Women’s squad for this weekend’s Six Nations match against Italy.

The Red Roses were crowned winners of this year’s tournament following Scotland’s draw with France on Sunday.

Hartpury student Sarah Bern, and exHartpury trio Amy Cockayne, Alex Matthews and Ellie Kildunne are also in the party.