Injury rules Underhill out of England’s Six Nations
England have suffered another setback ahead of their Guinness Six Nations title defence after Sam Underhill was withdrawn from Eddie Jones’ squad because of a hip injury.
Underhillwouldhavestarted the opening fixture against Scotland at Twickenham on February 6, but he could now miss the entire tournament. Jack Willis has been named as his replacement.
News of his injury comes the day after prop Joe Marler pulledoutofthe28-mansquad tobewithhisfamilyduringthe coronaviruspandemicandJoe Launchbury learned he would sit out the first three rounds with a broken leg.
Willis has been promoted fromEngland’s12-strong‘shadow squad’ and will compete with Ben Earl and Mark Wilson for the vacancy created by Underhill’s absence.
Lewis Ludlam fills Willis’ slotinthesecondgroupofplayers,whoaresubjecttothesame Covid-19testingproceduresas the28intheeventthatinjuries mean new personnel must be brought in. Adding depth at loosehead prop and lock to the shadow squad in the wake of the withdrawal of Marler and LaunchburyareAlexHepburn and David Ribbans.
*Paul Gustard has moved quickly to secure a new position following his departure from Harlequins by being appointed Benetton Rugby’s defence coach.
Gustard’s time as head of rugby at The Stoop ended last week after a disappointing start to the Gallagher Premiership but he has signed a three-year deal to act as assistant to Marco Bortolami at the Italian club. The former England defence coach left Eddie Jones’stafftotakeuphisroleas number one at Quins in 2018, but was unable to bring consistency to a club that has suffered from rollercoaster form.