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England name replacements for 3 players, including Ollie Lawrence
By Liam Heagney
Steve Borthwick has been forced to make three changes to the England squad named last week for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
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The head coach is holding a training camp this week in Girona, his team’s base ahead of their February 3 campaign opener away to Italy in Rome, and a bruising weekend of Investec Champions Cup action has taken its toll – including the loss of midfielders Ollie Lawrence and Oscar Beard.
With England having lost Manu Tuilagi to injury, Owen Farrell to a Test-rugby sabbatical, and Joe Marchant to ineligibility after his post-Rugby World Cup switch to Stade Francais, it was expected that Lawrence – who had impressed at Bath this winter – was poised to play a major role in his country’s midfield in the championship.
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However, after being named in the original 36-strong training squad, he has now had to pull out along with Harlequins’ Beard and Sale hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie. No details were given about the exact type and severity of the injuries Lawrence and Cowan-Dickie have sustained.
Beard, meanwhile, was one of seven uncapped players chosen last week by Borthwick, but his role in Girona will now be minimised to going through his return to play protocols following the head knock he sustained as an outside centre starter in his team’s win over Ulster.
A statement read: “Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Will Muir (Bath Rugby) and Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons) have been called into the England Guinness Six Nations training squad.
“The trio replace Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby) and Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks) who have withdrawn due to injury. Beard will travel to England’s training base in Girona where he will continue his return to play protocol.”
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It will be Thursday, February 1, when Borthwick will name his England team to face Italy in round one following their arrival in Rome after their warm-weather camp preparations in Girona.
Cokanasiga, Malins and OH-C all have work ons, while Watson is still struggling for fitness. Watson is the most likely to join the squad as his pedigree is well known. Needs matches under his belt however. Walker isn't exactly setting the world alight. Blaimire isn't a bad option in the light of recent red cards. Frost would also be a good option based on recent form.
Clearly Borthwick following the Eddie Jones revolving door selection strategy.
Borthwick could have replaced Beard with Cokanasiga, Watson, Malins, or Hassell-Collins, and could have replaced Cowan-Dickie with Jack Walker.
I don’t necessarily think it’s a problem that he’s taking this approach, but I do think its disappointing that Jones was criticised so universally for his selection policy, when Borthwick is given a pass to do exactly the same.