"Debut delayed" - Three England players released by Steve Borthwick - Ruck

“Debut delayed” – Three England players released by Steve Borthwick

Manu Tuilagi roars back into contention for England’s showdown with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 24th!

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The powerhouse centre, aged 32, bounces back from injury alongside Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Martin, bolstering the 36-man squad.

Excitement mounts as fly-half sensation Marcus Smith and the dynamic Ollie Lawrence join the squad, stepping up their recovery game.

The battle for the inside center spot heats up as Tuilagi gears up to clash with Fraser Dingwall, both vying for a pivotal role against Scotland.

Dingwall’s stellar debut against Italy, followed by a standout performance against Wales where he notched his first England try, sets the stage for a gripping contest.

England’s promising start in the Six Nations, clinching victories in their opening matches for the first time in five years, ignites hope. But the occurrence of three consecutive losses to Scotland looms large, adding extra spice to this clash after Scotland’s recent setback against France.

However, three players have been released by Steve Borthwick.

THREE PLAYERS RELEASED:

#1. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints)

Pearson was left without a club side when London Irish were placed into administration and suspended from the Gallagher Premiership in June 2023, but now joined Northampton Saints ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Pearson initially joined London Irish’s Academy set-up following a stint at Cardiff Metropolitan University – where he made 28 BUCS Super Rugby appearances, 14 Welsh Championship appearances, and was named in the BUCS Super Rugby Team of the Year.

The 6’3”, 114kg back row arrived at the Exiles ahead of the 2021/22 season, and went on to make 39 appearances in his first two years of professional rugby, scoring ten tries.

He scooped London Irish’s Young Player of the Year award after his debut campaign, but began to really capture the headlines in 2022/23, with a season’s worth of standout performances seeing him named as the Premiership’s Breakthrough Player of the Season and the RPA’s Young Player of the Season, as well as being named in the senior England squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

Tom Pearson of England on the break during the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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