England and Wales battle it out for No 8 Moore

ENGLAND face a battle from Wales to secure the Test future of hot-shot No 8 Sam Moore.

The 19-year-old has captained England at age group level but Wales want to select him for the Six Nations.

Moore was born in Cardiff but emerged alongside Tom Curry at Sale Sharks and is in the England Under-20 squad.

His father Steve and uncle Andy, however, represented Wales between 1995-2002 and Moore could provide cover for Toby Faletau, who is expected to miss the first two Tests.

Wales name their Six Nations squad on Tuesday, two days before Eddie Jones announces his England selections.

Another player in demand is Stirling-born flanker Gary Graham who, despite receiving a direct message on Twitter from Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, is holding out for a call-up from Jones.

‘Gary has impressed at this camp,’ said Jones of the New Year gathering in Brighton.

‘We’ve got plenty of options at seven. We have James Haskell and can push Chris Robshaw across. Gary reminds me of Robshaw so he is not an out-and-out seven. He has got a nice demeanour. He’s hungry.’

Sam Underhill is also ready to return, having played 80 minutes for Bath on Friday after recovering from concussion.

‘You can’t rush,’ said Underhill, who suffered the blow in November. ‘It’s an issue that has been brought to light fairly recently, and rightly so. It’s something that not an awful lot is known about, so you need to make good decisions.’

With Lions prop Joe Marler banned and Ellis Genge injured, props Beno Obano and Alec Hepburn are both in contention for selection as Jones seeks back-up for Mako Vunipola.

Manu Tuilagi is available, although he is still working back to fitness, having been rested by Leicester for today’s game in Castres.