England call up lock to replace banned Charlie Ewels

Charlie Ewels will miss the rest of England summer tour after he copped a ban after he was red-carded for his reckless clearout on Japanese captain Michael Leitch on Saturday in Tokyo.

Ewels managed to get red-carded despite being on the field for just six minutes and having been sent off in his last international appearance for England.

His latest ban could now spell the end of his international career.

It has been confirmed that England head coach Steve Borthwick has called up Nick Isiekwe in his place. The Saracens second row will arrive in Auckland on Tuesday ahead of England’s two-Test tour of New Zealand to take on the All Blacks.

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With England on the attack in the 73rd minute, Ewels misjudged his clear-out at a breakdown as he came in from the side and hit his shoulder into Leitch’s knee – leaving the Japan captain in agony on the ground.

Ewels attended a hearing before an independent Disciplinary Committee on 23 June 2024 for an offence contrary to Law 9.20(a) (dangerous charging in a ruck) relating to the incident.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Shao-ing Wang of Singapore and joined by former international players David Croft of Australia and John Langford of Australia.

The player accepted that foul play had occurred but maintained that the offence did not warrant a red card.

Nasty this from Charlie Ewels.

Got it all wrong. pic.twitter.com/VR4Mi9Mkxy

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— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) June 22, 2024

A World Rugby statement reads: “Having considered all the available evidence, the submissions by the player and his representative, and all available camera angles, the independent Committee determined that the red card was warranted.

“The Committee considered the degree appropriate entry point for the offending and decided that the offence warranted a low-end entry point of 2 matches. Having considered submissions as regards mitigation, the Committee did not apply mitigation to the sanction resulting in a final sanction of 2 matches.”

The player is suspended for the matches New Zealand v England on 6 July 2024 and New Zealand v England on 13 July 2024. He has the right to appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision.