England call-up: Matt Kvesic
England have called Matt Kvesic and Mouritz Botha to their Six Nations training camp as injury cover, the RFU have confirmed.
Worcester flanker Kvesic, 20, will be hoping for his first senior appearance while Saracens lock Botha is recalled having been a regular fixture in last year's competition.
The duo step up to Stuart Lancaster's squad due to concerns over Exeter back row Tom Johnson (knee) and Northampton forward Calum Clark (shoulder).
"I have been fortunate to have a run of games at Warriors, and now I am delighted to get the call from England," Kvesic told Worcester's official website.
"It would be fantastic to get the opportunity to feature in the Six Nations, but my priority now is meeting up with the team, keeping my head down and working hard to try and make that a reality."
There may also be a recall on the horizon for Harlequins winger Ugo Monye, who will train with the group as several three-quarters involved in European action over the weekend are assessed.
England kick off their Six Nations campaign at Twickenham on February 2 when they face Scotland, who will be prepared for the game by interim head coach Scott Johnson.
Jamie Gibson of London Irish replaces Kvesic in the England Saxons squad for their games against Ireland Wolfhounds in Galway on January 25 and Scotland A at Kingston Park seven days later.
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Socrates. Wow. BokAvenger do you know where your local hemlock store is?
Posted 21:03 21st January 2013
TVaddict says...
@APV1
Surely Attwood can't be considered until he is regularly starting for his club? I'd say Robson deserves a call-up more as we only have one 'technical' second row in Parling, then two athletic lumps in Launchbury and Lawes. Robson balances it out a bit more. That said I'd like to see Launchbury and Lawes paired up at some point in this 6 nations.
Posted 18:24 21st January 2013
chubbylugs says...
botha is a good premiership player. solid, good tackler etc, but his handling was a bit poor under pressure the times ive seen him play
Posted 18:04 21st January 2013
Warrior7 says...
ArmchairGeneral, I am a Wuss fan and that photo is clearly from the junior world cup. Kvesic has thighs the same size as Dean Schofield, he is built.
Also, watch Worcester vs Leicester - the game that was on the 4th of Jan 2013, the Leics pack could not handle him whilst Salvi was off the field.
Whilst he isn't as true as a 7 as Jake Abbott, who is another one Wuss have brought up into the prem from our academy (along with Matt Mullan, Tom Wood, Graham Kitchener, James Percival, Miles Benjamin etc) Kvesic is a more powerful carrier and picks better lines in attack.
Also as a sidenote, hopefully now Kev is in the England squad he won't leave us, and we might actually be able to attract good players so we can get into the Heineken
Posted 17:47 21st January 2013
APV1 says...
@ BokAvenger - fair play to you - that's one of the best posts I've read for a very long time. Thank you.
Posted 17:28 21st January 2013
craigsman says...
BokAvenger - thanks for that. Made my day.
Humble? Socrates? Didn't he fondle children himself? Also, if you are such a crusader for the truth why not stick to things that are important? As much as I love rugby, it's only a sport. There are real issues out there.
Posted 17:21 21st January 2013
TVaddict says...
@editor
lol!
Posted 16:03 21st January 2013
BokAvenger says...
@Ed - I take umbrage at you labeling me a troll. I am merely the villain in your fairy tale, make believe world where rugby is a game played by gentleman and refereed by the friendly local parson who didn't fondle you as a child. I may also be described as a humble crusader for the truth. Even the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates were derided during their time but over the ages people came to realise their genius. One day the lid on the IRB conspiracy will be cracked open and you will all see that I was right all along. Until that day dawns, I will remain a Bok Avenger!
Posted 15:46 21st January 2013
APV1 says...
@ ArmchairGeneral - I know that 2Rs should have safe hands, but can we really write him off for a single knock-on? As I said, I wouldn't have chosen him (Attwood would have been my preference. ATTWOOD!), but MB always works hard and never fails to stop competing.
@ lawynd - anyone who agrees with BA about anything needs to be considered very carefully. Their mental state is probably quite delicate and we need to also consider poisoning by the English or an IRB conspiricy.
Posted 15:17 21st January 2013
lawynd says...
@rustytrumpet - if you really, really want to go there, then I suggest you actually look into the specifics of what really happened, rather than buying into some anti-English hype. Nobody at UKBA had even suggested deportation, and in fact when Fourie bothered to pick up the phone rather than just spout off about terrorists, they presented a number of options to him for remaining in the country. In fact, you can read a precis of the events right here on this very site - http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3556_8386812,00.html
Posted 14:44 21st January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Anyone got stats on Kvesic? Ive not seen him in action. Looks hard, fit but built like a scrum half... Or he's got a massive head? Re photo.
Posted 14:42 21st January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
APV1: I think Botha did slightly let us down this Autumn i think as a sub vs South Africa. We needed to gather a kickoff close to the end of the game and I think he knocked on. And i think it was not the first. Not sure I've got the detail right but this Autumn I dropped him mentally.
Posted 14:39 21st January 2013
melkdave says...
I agree they are good call ups ,paticually Kvesic whos a true openside which England solely lack atm,from not picking S.Armitage because he plays in France
As to the deportation question raised by Bok,Those same rules and laws apply thoughout europe they arnt just british.Players come here to earn a living,and if they can gain international recognision.They arrive on work visas,as many other people doing many other jobs do.When they cant get work,the visa expires,after a certain amount of time.Its a system that works to the advantage of both the country,and person involved,but when they cannot work anymore then ,they are subject to repatriation.So they dont become a huge burden on the host country.But there are special circumstances and exceptions that are taken into account,and deportation isnt always the outcome.Even SA has a very similar work visa programe,So BokAvenger dont cry foul,when your own country does exactly the same please.
Posted 13:56 21st January 2013
TVaddict says...
@rustytrumpet
I don't understand the point your making. If the editor was censoring it, then you wouldn't be able to see and comment on BA's typically football fan like post. all the editor was simply saying was that if you don't like someone's post you can choose to ignore it.
The editor says.... Part of your comment has been deleted. DON'T FEED THE TROLL!!!
Posted 13:04 21st January 2013
rustytrumpet says...
@Ed sorry but tend to agree with BokAvenger.
We should be allowed to discuss it. whether you agree with it or not. It was a fact that deportation was considered as he couldnt play rugby anymore.
If he hadnt played for England and was just another overseas player would there have been this furore. I dont think so, he would just have been gone
Posted 12:37 21st January 2013
lawynd says...
@APV1 - I agree, on all points. Kvesic in particular looks like he's going places...hopefully one of them might be Welford Road in the future. ;)
Posted 11:56 21st January 2013
APV1 says...
@ Ed - sometimes easier said than done.
As for the call-ups, this is good news all round (except, of course, for those injured for whom I with a speedy recovery). I wouldn't have chosen Botha, but he's never let his country down and works damned hard. Kvesic has been on great form and this is his recognition.
Posted 10:43 21st January 2013
BokAvenger says...
How can you claim that is not rugby related? It refers to a rugby player who was allowed to play the game for England and then as soon as he was of no use to them, was threatened with deportation. Why are we not allowed to discuss this?
Posted 09:55 21st January 2013
lawynd says...
@PR Editor - how are that tool's posts getting through when they're so blatantly not rugby-related, yet again?
The editor says.... Just try ignore him.
Posted 09:00 21st January 2013
BokAvenger says...
Hope Botha has a backup plan for when he retires. He'll probably be deported as soon as the Poms don't need him anymore
Posted 07:22 21st January 2013