Marler and Launchbury withdrawn from England squad

England have been forced to withdraw Harlequins prop Joe Marler and Wasps second row Joe Launchbury from their Guinness Six Nations training squad.

It’s a significant blow for England, especially in the frontrow, with Eddie Jones’ already without loosehead Mako Vunipola, who is recovering from an Achille’s injury.

A statement from the RFU reads: “England duo Joe Launchbury and Joe Marler have withdrawn from the squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

“Launchbury is out through injury, with a fibia stress fracture, and Joe Marler has withdrawn for personal reasons.

“Charlie Ewels and Tom West will join the tournament squad, marking West’s first England senior call-up.

Eddie Jones’ side will meet at St. George’s Park on Wednesday, January 27th where they will begin their preparations for the Guinness Six Nations. England’s opening game is against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 6 February.

Premium feature exclusive to TheXV.Rugby - Free Trial Task master Patrick Tuipulotu has helped mould the Blues into his own hard-working image. Gregor Paul Generation X A new crop of Kiwi 10s are set to make names for themselves in Super Rugby Aotearoa. Tom Vinicombe Free spirit Tony Brown can already be compared with coaching genius Wayne Smith Jeff Wilson Game of thrones New Zealand seems to want uncertainty to prevail when it comes to major coaching roles. Gregor Paul Pack mentality How Blues’ forwards went from easy beats to heavy hitters to challenge Crusaders’ supremacy. Patrick McKendry

Trending on RugbyPass

• 1 Watch: TJ Perenara and Springbok flyer combine to pull off 'get out of jail'...
• 2 Watch: Cheslin Kolbe pulls off a Houdini-like escape act in the Top 14 that...
• 3 'Play the game' - Beauden Barrett takes umbrage with one of the worst practices...
• 4 'I've had at least three or four players ring me during the week' -...

More News