Squad Update: Five absences from England training - Ruck

Squad Update: Five absences from England training

Following injuries sustained on the weekend, Charlie Ewels (hamstring), Piers Francis (concussion), Jonathan Joseph (dead leg), Jack Nowell (ankle) and Harry Williams (concussion) will not join up with England for their training camp today.

Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) and Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish) have been called up into the squad for the two-day camp in Brighton.

The camp will be used to begin preparations for England’s opening match of the NatWest 6 Nations against Italy on 4 February in Rome.

23 year-old prop Beno Obano (Bath Rugby) and Newcastle Falcon’s openside flanker Gary Graham receive their first call ups into the England squad.

Eddie Jones said: “This camp in Brighton is important for us to set the tone as a squad ahead of the Six Nations. We will need to improve if we are to hunt down our opponents and beat them. This tournament will be exciting and challenging, as we know we will play against some very strong teams.

“Brighton will provide a great base to begin our preparations with players coming away with a clear plan for our opening match of the campaign against Italy.”