MARCUS SMITH has been recalled to the 36-man England squad for their Guinness Six Nations clash with France.
Having been dropped from the training camp in Brighton last week, Smith returns to join Owen Farrell and George Ford as the options for Steve Borthwick at fly-half.
Smith came off the bench during England’s last two Six Nations matches against Italy and Wales, but played less than nine minutes of Test rugby across those fixtures.
However, he played for Harlequins against Exeter and put in a good performance during their 40-5 victory, earning a recall to the 36-man squad.
His place in the matchday 23 – which will be announced on Tuesday – is less certain, though, following Ford’s return to fitness.
Manu Tuilagi was also named in the squad, but cannot appear in the match through suspension.
Cadan Murley was included as the only uncapped player in the squad.
England bounced back from a disappointing 29-23 defeat to Scotland at Twickenham in the opening match of the Six Nations to overcome Italy and Wales in their last two games.
Full England squad:
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.
Backs: Henry Arundell, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
Good luck Leinster Keep the momentum going
Fair play to Lyon though, you have to give it to em.
Bonus point as requested and delivered. Build on the lead now.
Don’t take the foot off the pedal. Let’s hope for a thumping performance and that Lyon are competitive.
What an absolute joke of a video ref disallowing Fardy’s try. If you get that pernickety about it then no try would ever be given. Pathetic.
@Vincent O’Keeffe: and after all the microscopic bullshit they missed a clear neck roll on Treacy.
Free stream?
@Ao: MOBDRO, LiveNetTV TV. VIP, first row,
Whitehouse is screwing Lyon
Examples allowing Leinster to have men diving in beyond the ruck creating space clever but illegal. Offside in defence at every breakdown. Lowe trying to use the boot in the ruck that is illegal with years. Toners contact to the face accidental yes but under the rules a yellow card. Whitehouse try’s to give Leinster the disallowed try in spite of being told by the TMO there was a clear knock on.
@Brian Gallivan: you can use your boot in a ruck, you just can’t kick it out, nothing illegal there at all, massive chip on yo shoulder there though!
@Brian Gallivan: anything else??
@Umpaloompa:
No chip whatsoever all you can ask for is consistency. He has just called the exact same offences against Lyon when Leinster are attacking and gives them a warning. I hope Leinster win but hate to see Whitehouses incompetence having a bearing on the game. Any difficulty with my other comments
@David: Did you just see what Fardy did in the build up to Deegans try Whitehouse misses I again
@Brian Gallivan: with relation to going past the ruck and the offside, I’m pretty sure the Leinster coaching staff have seem Munster get away with it all the time (e.g. vs Connacht in the interpros), and decided to give it a go.
@Brian Gallivan: your complaining about what every team does, as for Whitehouse trying to give the try, he clearly couldn’t hear the tmo and couldn’t see a problem himself, no ref or tmo ever calls that, good spot all the same.
Leo looks pissed off.
Little ‘Nigel’ should shut up pontificating and let teams play.
That try from Conway! Mon dieu!