Seven Saints stars named in England squad for Nations Championship games
Seven Saints players have been named in England’s 36-man squad for the upcoming Nations Championship matches, the first of which takes place this weekend.
England welcome Australia to Allianz Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3.10pm) before hosting Japan (kick-off 4.40pm) and New Zealand (kick-off 2.10pm) on successive Saturdays.
Finals weekend will take place from Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29.
Alex Coles, Manny Iyogun, Tom Pearson, Henry Pollock, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman and Fin Smith, who missed Saints’ win against Gloucester last weekend due to a calf problem, are all included in the latest England squad.
However, Archie McParland, who has been dealing with a calf issue, and Alex Mitchell, who had to come off after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 21st minute of last weekend’s game, will not be involved.
The group, comprising 20 forwards and 16 backs, was due to assemble at England’s Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park on Monday evening.
“We’re looking forward to getting back to Allianz Stadium for four important Test matches against top-level opposition,” said England boss Steve Borthwick.
“These fixtures take on added significance this autumn as they represent our final opportunity to face Southern Hemisphere opposition before next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“Facing Australia next Sunday is an exciting challenge. They have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months, and we know the quality and experience they will bring.”
England squad for the Nations Championship matches…
Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), George Martin (Saracens), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby).
Backs: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Harlequins), Will Joseph (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Marchant (Sale Sharks), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).