A fan-favourite prop has been drafted into the England set-up as Steve Borthwick continues to juggle injuries ahead of the Six Nations opener against Wales.
Max Lahiff has been called up to the England squad as training cover, with Billy Sela carrying a knock. The Bristol Bears tighthead’s inclusion comes at a timely moment for Borthwick, who is already dealing with a mounting injury list in the front row.
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Several props are unavailable this week, with Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Will Stuart all sidelined. Meanwhile, Afolabi Fasogbon, George Kloska, Archie van der Flier and Tarek Haffar are set to turn out for England A on Friday night.
Lahiff, renowned for his scrummaging power, joined Bristol Bears ahead of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season and signed a contract extension in January 2020.
Before his move west, he spent five seasons with Bath Rugby, having previously made 78 appearances for London Irish. His career has also included a stint with the Melbourne Rebelsduring the 2014 Super Rugby campaign.
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More injury disruption
England have also been forced into a late change out wide. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out after picking up an injury in training and will be replaced by Tom Roebuck, who has only recently returned from his own spell on the sidelines.
Speaking about the switch, Tom Harrison insisted the squad is prepared for such scenarios, although he admitted the timing was not ideal for Roebuck.
“In an ideal world, he would have an extra week, but the world isn’t ideal, as we know,” Harrison said. “He trained fully yesterday, and the way he’s been around the squad has been exceptional. I’m really excited to see him go.”
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