Jack Kenningham called into squad as England's injury woes worsen

Harlequins flanker Jack Kenningham has been drafted into the England squad for their training camp in Girona ahead of the Guinness Six Nations, with Ben Curry and Fin Baxter no longer travelling to Spain.

The uncapped Kenningham missed out on Steve Borthwick’s original Six Nations squad last week, while Curry and Baxter were scheduled to join the squad in Girona for rehabilitation.

England have announced that the Harlequins loosehead will now undergo surgery on his foot, which could well rule him out of the Championship. Curry, who missed the Quilter Nations Series after undergoing a hamstring operation, will also remain at home.

There is no confirmation as to how long the pair will be sidelined for, with the Championship getting underway for Borthwick’s side on Saturday, February 7, against Wales at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

Ollie Lawrence, Tom Roebuck and Fin Smith are still expected to travel with the squad to Spain for rehabilitation.

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7 Feb 26

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Curry made a return from his surgery in round one of the Investec Champions Cup against Glasgow Warriors at the beginning of December and started the week later against ASM Clermont Auvergne the week later at the Stade Marcel Michelin. He has not featured, however, since then.

Speaking at the beginning of the month, Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said the flanker was pushing to make the start of the Six Nations.

“Ben Curry is looking towards [being fit for] the Six Nations and if we push them both [Tom Roebuck] through then it could be the Northampton game,” he said.

“I have had two missed calls from Steve Borthwick and I have to see what his plans are. It is probably England’s call because they are both EPS players, and if they think it is beneficial, they could play against Saints or they could just go straight into camp with England.”

Baxter has competed with Ellis Genge for the England No.1 jersey over the past 18 months, but this will now provide Bevan Rodd and the Northampton Saints’ uncapped Emmanuel Iyogun the chance to showcase their Test credentials.

England are also being tested on the other side of the scrum, with British & Irish Lion Will Stuart ruled out of the Championship with an Achilles injury, as is Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who had surgery on his shoulder two weeks ago.

Trevor Davison and Bath’s uncapped 20-year-old Billy Sela are the two tightheads who will battle to deputise for Joe Heyes when the Championship gets underway.