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England statement: The Rugby World Cup call-up of Sam Underhill
Sam Underhill has been called up to the England Rugby World Cup squad in place of the injured Jack Willis. The French-based Willis, who has been playing his club rugby for Toulouse since last November following the collapse of Wasps, picked up a neck injury in the September 23 Pool D tournament win over Chile in Lille.
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Willis was a try-scorer in that fixture and his high work rate saw him put his hand up for further involvement at the World Cup. However, he was unable to shake off his short-term knock and a decision was taken last Wednesday and publicly announced the following day that he had left the squad.
Borthwick explained on Thursday evening the next steps that were happening regarding flying in a replacement in time for the start of England’s preparations in Marseille ahead of their October 15 quarter-final, most likely versus Fiji.
The head coach then said post-game versus Samoa on Saturday night that he still wasn’t in a position to publicly confirm the identity of who he would be calling.
This situation, though, was finally cleared up on Sunday lunchtime with the confirmation that Underhill, a starter in the 2019 World Cup final who was released from Borthwick’s 2023 training squad in mid-July, was now belatedly coming to the finals.
A statement read: “Sam Underhill has been added to England’s Rugby World Cup squad in France. The Bath Rugby back row forward replaces Jack Willis and will join up with the squad in Lille today [Sunday] ahead of England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Sunday, October 15, in Marseille.”
Underhill is the third alteration to Borthwick’s squad of 33 originally announced on August 7 for the tournament. Alex Mitchell replaced Jack van Poortvliet and Jonny May came in for Anthony Watson before the trip to France after they picked up respective ankle and calf injuries.
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Defence coach Kevin Sinfield explained: “One door closes for someone and another one opens. Sam was outstanding with us during the summer. He trained the house down and unfortunately, for whatever reason which we won’t share with you guys, he didn’t stay with us.
“We followed him closely, we have kept in touch. He is a Test-match animal, he is a fantastic player and it shows some of the quality we have got back in England. We are delighted he is able to join us.
“It is a like-for-like replacement for Jack and he brings some small differences but there are many similarities. He is a great character as well. He knows what it’s like to play well at World Cups, he has done it previously. He brings a great deal of experience too.”
The assistant also provided medical updates on Manu Tuilagi and Jamie George post the Samoa game. “I have just been told that they have both got the all-clear.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
237 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
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