International Rugby

Eddie Jones calls up Plan B at No.8 for England training squad

Mark Wilson has been recalled by the England head coach for a training camp ahead of the clash with Wales

by
The Rugby Paper Team
26 February 2020

Eddie Jones has recalled Mark Wilson into the England fold to train ahead of the penultimate round of the Six Nations.

Wilson has been included in a 25-man squad to prepare for next Saturday’s clash against Wales at Twickenham, and will rival Tom Curry for the No.8 shirt.

Curry, 21, have been shifted to the anchor of the scrum for the first three rounds of the tournament for England.

Sale Sharks loanee Wilson has made his way back into contention after spending two months out recuperating from knee surgery.

With the pack coming out on top against Ireland this past weekend, they will go into the three-day camp in Oxford without Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie.

The front row pair will be unavailable for Jones’ training regime due to family reasons, with Vunipola unlikely to play a part against Wales.

There is good news for Anthony Watson who has been offset with a calf problem suffered before England’s first match of the Six Nations against France.

Watson’s return comes at a fortunate time for Jones following a groin injury to full-back George Furbank, which kept him out of playing in the 24-12 win over Ireland.

While apprentice scrum-half Alex Mitchell remains with the squad.

England 25-man squad for training camp ahead of Wales Test:

Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks)

Backs: Elliot Daly (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)