Curry out of France clash as Eddie Jones makes one major recall
England flanker Tom Curry is out of Le Crunch against France in the Six Nations after picking up a hamstring injury against Ireland, but Eddie Jones has recalled Jack Willis to the squad over a year after his devastating knee injury against Italy.
Jones named his 34-man squad that will prepare to derail France’s Grand Slam plans in Paris today, and there will be come major changes to the pack. Charlie Ewels and Curry will miss out, but it will be interesting to see how Jones tweaks his team.
Captain Courtney Lawes could well move into the second row, opening the door for two back row replacements to step up. Alex Dombrandt may well start again after being on the bench against Ireland, and could be joined by Alfie Barbeary for his debut, Sam Underhill or maybe even Willis, although that seems unlikely.
Conversely, Lawes could remain in the back row and Joe Launchbury could come into the starting XV, with perhaps Nick Isiekwe starting on the bench.
A positive for England is that Kyle Sinckler is in the squad despite going off before half time against Ireland with a head injury. Here is the squad:
FORWARDS
Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
Nic Dolly (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 8 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 65 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 55 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 6 caps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 70 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 92 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 78 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 51 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 3 caps)
BACKS
Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 56 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 80 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Louis Lynagh (Harlequins, uncapped)
Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 11 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints,
Luke Northmore (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 47 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 9 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 116 caps)