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England withdraw another centre days out from Six Nations

Mako Vunipola. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

England head coach Steve Borthwick’s England have been forced to withdraw another centre just days out from their opening match of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

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Yesterday Henry Slade was withdrawn and today the RFU have confirmed that Dan Kelly has also been removed from the squad.

“Dan Kelly has been withdrawn from the England squad who are preparing to play Scotland this weekend in the Guinness Six Nations with a thigh injury,” read an RFU statement. “Guy Porter has been called up by head coach Steve Borthwick. Porter has joined with the squad who are training at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot.”

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On Sunday Slade was ruled out of the opener against Scotland at Twickenham with a hip injury. Slade picked up the knock during Exeter’s game against Castres last weekend and has not recovered sufficiently to be considered for selection, but Jamie George is included in the squad ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash on February 4.

The Saracens hooker was initially withdrawn from the group after he was concussed in their defeat to Edinburgh last weekend. He will continue to work through his graduated return-to-play protocols.

Anthony Watson has also been recalled following injury, England Rugby confirmed in a squad update issued on Sunday evening.

Borthwick said: “This is a very important week for us as we prepare for our first game against Scotland.

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“We know that Scotland are an excellent side with a great coaching team led by Gregor Townsend.

“They’re a settled squad who have been together a long time and have dominated this fixture in recent seasons.

“They will be coming to Twickenham full of confidence. We know we have a lot of work to do. The team trained very hard last week and are ready to go again this week.

“We can’t wait to run out at Twickenham again in front of our incredible supporters.”

UPDATE ENGLAND SQUAD:

Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis

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Backs: Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Guy Porter, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

additional reporting PA

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BH 1 hour ago
TJ Perenara clarifies reference to the Treaty in All Blacks' Haka

Nope you're both wrong. Absolutely 100% wrong. You two obviously know nothing about NZ history, or the Treaty which already gives non-Māori "equal" rights. You are ignorant to what the Crown have already done to Māori. I've read it multiple times, attended the magnificent hikoi and witnessed a beautiful moment of Māori and non-Māori coming together in a show of unity against xenophobia and a tiny minority party trying to change a constitutional binding agreement between the Crown and Māori. The Crown have hundreds of years of experience of whitewashing our culture, trying to remove the language and and take away land and water rights that were ours but got stolen from. Māori already do not have equal rights in all of the stats - health, education, crime, etc. The Treaty is a binding constitutional document that upholds Māori rights and little Seymour doesn't like that. Apparently he's not even a Māori anyway as his tribes can't find his family tree connection LOL!!!


Seymour thinks he can change it because he's a tiny little worm with small man syndrome who represents the ugly side of NZ. The ugly side that wants all Māori to behave, don't be "radical" or "woke", and just put on a little dance for a show. But oh no they can't stand up for themselves against oppression with a bill that is a waste of time and money that wants to cause further division in their own indigenous country.


Wake up to yourselves. You can't pick and choose what parts of Māori culture you want and don't want when it suits you. If sport and politics don't mix then why did John Key do the 3 way handshake at the RWC 2011 final ceremony? Why is baldhead Luxon at ABs games promoting himself? The 1980s apartheid tour was a key example of sports and politics mixing together. This is the same kaupapa. You two sound like you support apartheid.

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