Steve Borthwick has announced his wider training squad for this Summer, as England have a series of four warm-up matches ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Amongst the squad are players that are currently side-lined with injury, who are hoping to recover in time for the upcoming competition. Before England head to France, they have back-to-back home and away matches with Wales, a trip to Dublin to take on Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland, and a Fijian sized road block to see out the Summer.
These injured stars will hope to feature in the upcoming ‘friendlies’, in their journeys back to fitness ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Here are the injured stars amongst the England squad, that will be soon making headway on their preparations at Pennyhill Park.
1. Ollie Chessum
One of the break-out international stars of the entire 2023 Six Nations, lock Ollie Chessum had his momentum halted by an untimely ankle injury. The Leicester Tigers star suffered a broken fibula and shattered his ankle, during England’s final training week ahead of the Six Nations finale against Ireland.
Chessum has since undergone ankle surgery, and is completing his rehab with the England Rugby medical team. The 22-year-old’s Premiership season was cut short, as the Leicester lock has not featured for club or country since the incident. Chessum was the second best lineout jumper in the 2023 Six Nations, as he completed 18 set-pieces for Steve Borthwick’s side.