MARCUS SMITH AND Alex Mitchell will join England’s squad for a three-day training camp in York ahead of the final two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations.
Harlequins out-half Smith is yet to feature in this year’s championship due to a calf issue, while Northampton scrum-half Mitchell twisted his knee in training after starting the victories over Italy and Wales.
The returning pair will continue rehabilitating their respective injuries alongside a 36-man group, the Rugby Football Union has announced.
Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who scored a try as a replacement in Saturday’s 30-21 Calcutta Cup loss to Scotland, will be absent as he has a medical exam at Exeter University which must be completed face to face.
England return to action on Saturday, 9 March when Grand Slam-chasing Ireland visit Twickenham.
Steve Borthwick’s side, who must beat Andy Farrell’s reigning champions to remain in title contention, complete the tournament a week later by taking on France in Lyon.
This will be a real test if England have their best players on the field. Smith and Mitchel are a decent combination playing together. Mitchel of late has been playing very well at scrum half. Still think we should beat them as they just narrowly won to Italy and Wales but were no where against Scotland. However, they will be the bogey team playing at home and will be wanting to stop Ireland’s Grand Slam
@Con Cussed: let’s hope england keep 15 on the pitch this time round and we get a game..
@Con Cussed: By my reckoning, Smith and Mitchell have played 44 minutes together at 9 and 10, all from the bench, with 35 of those coming when France put half a century on them at Twickenham.
@Justin Robinson: Wow, I thought they played more together – must have been watching those 35 minutes! Thanks ;0)
I hope they go with Smith and try to play a bit. My fear is that they use their kick/pressure game and have Ford kick drop goals every time they near the Irish line.
Crowley to show Smith levels
They need to return the “King of the Skies” to full back. It was a serious mistake to drop Steward.
@Ray Ridge: he’s not gonna sh*g you Ray.