Uncapped duo amongst five called up by injury-hit England
England have called up uncapped duo, Northampton flanker Henry Pollock and Gloucester lock Arthur Clark, as preparations begin for their Guinness Men’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 1st.
Openside Pollock, 20, has been sensational for Northampton this season, while 23-year-old Clark has become increasingly influential for Gloucester, making nine appearances in all competitions.
Pollock comes info Harlequins No.8 Alex Dombrandt and Clark replaces Northampton’s Alex Coles, who both sustained injuries for their clubs during the last round of European rugby.
England have also been hit by the loss of vice-captain Jamie George for the pivotal game against Ireland, while scrum-halves Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet also picked up knocks.
Hooker George suffered a hamstring injury in Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup defeat by Castres on Sunday and will miss the start of the tournament, the Rugby Football Union has confirmed.
Northampton scrum-half Mitchell sustained a knee problem against Munster on Saturday but could yet feature against Ireland after being taken to the squad’s pre-Championship training camp in Girona to continue his rehabilitation.
Northampton’s Curtis Langdon, capped twice in 2021, provides cover at hooker, while the addition of Bath captain Ben Spencer and Raffi Quirke, who impressed in Sale’s win over Toulon at the weekend, addresses the depleted scrum-half resources.
Could they line up like this
1. Genge
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6. Hill
7. Earl
8. Willis
9. Spencer
10. M. Smith
11. Sleightlome
12. Lawrence
13. Freeman
14. Roebuck
15. Steward
Subs:
16. Theo Dan
17. Bevan Rodd
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour
19. Ollie Chessum
20. Henry Pollock
21. Chandler Cunningham - South
22. Harry Randall
23. Fin Smith
Really sad for all the players who got injured - hope they are all OK.
That said, I would have picked Pollock and Clark over Dombrandt and Coles to begin with. I'd also have had Quirke and Langdon in the squad to begin with (ahead of JVP or Randall, and Cowan-Dickie), but George and Mitchell are both big losses. Really hope Mitchell is back in time for Ireland and George not long after.