George Ford and Joe Marler request release from England squad

Wednesday, 02 March 2022 at 16:17

byRugby Rucker

Joe Marler and George Ford have requested their release from the England squad to play for Harlequins and Leicester Tigers respectively in the Gallagher Premiership against Bristol bears and London Irish respectively.

The experienced duo were surprise omissions from England’s 25-man training squad for next week’s Six Nations clash against Wales

Meanwhile, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has joined Manu Tuilagi on the sidelines after suffering an injury against Wales during their Six Nations clash last weekend.

Head coach Eddie Jones’ stuttered to a 23-19 victory at Twickenham to remain third in the title race with two rounds of the 2022 tournament to play.

However, the narrow win came at a cost as Lions hooker Cowan-Dickie suffered knee damage and joins hamstring victim Tuilagi on the sidelines.

The England boss said: “Luke is having a scan and I would think he’s highly unlikely to be available. Manu probably needs something in the vicinity of a 10-day rehab.”

ENGLAND TRAINING SQUAD:

Forwards

Alfie Barbeary

Jamie Blamire

Alex Dombrandt

Charlie Ewels

Ellis Genge

Jamie George

Will Goodrick-Clarke (London Irish)

Maro Itoje

Nick Isiekwe

Joe Launchbury

Courtney Lawes

Lewis Ludlow

Sam Simmonds

Kyle Sinckler

Will Stuart

Backs

George Furbank

Ollie Hassell-Collins

Max Malins

Joe Marchant

Jack Nowell

Harry Randall

Henry Slade

Marcus Smith

Freddie Steward

Ben Youngs

Expected England XV to play Ireland with TWO players ruled out

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward
14. Max Malins
11. Jack Nowell

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

CENTRES:

13. Joe Marchant
for Elliot Daly
12. Henry Slade

Henry Slade of England kicks the conversion during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith
9. Harry Randall

Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George for Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler

Jamie George of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

SECOND-ROW:

4. Joe Launchbury for Charlie Ewels
5. Maro Itoje

Wasps player Joe Launchbury during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Wasps and Sale Sharks at Ricoh Arena on 27 Mar. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK

BACK-ROW:

6. Courtney Lawes (capt)
7. Tom Curry
8. Alex Dombrandt

Courtney Lawes, Captain of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK