England: Sam Underhill ruled out of series decider against the Wallabies

England will be without the services of star flanker Sam Underhill when they face Australia in Saturday’s series decider in Sydney after he was ruled out due to concussion.

Underhill was forced off the field in the 58th minute of his team’s 5-17 victory in Brisbane on Saturday after injuring his head while tackling Wallabies flyer Marika Koroibete and will now miss the crunch encounter.

Underhill’s injury follows Tom Curry returning to England after he also sustained a concussion in the first Test in Perth and a full-blow England injury crisis was averted when Jack Willis was cleared to train this week.

This, after Willis was a late withdrawal ahead of Saturday’s Test at Suncorp Stadium with a rib injury. The Wasps flanker withdrew just hours before that Test with Will Joseph coming onto the replacements bench as back-row cover.

However, Willis has been ruled fit for selection for Saturday’s third Test with Australia and is set to be named on the replacements bench with Lewis Ludlum joining Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola as the starting loose forwards.

Concussion has wreaked havoc during this series as apart from Underhill and Curry, England will also be without Maro Itoje after he left the field in Brisbane while the Wallabies have lost Allan Alaalatoa and Jordan Petaia to head knocks.

“Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill have been withdrawn from the England squad after suffering concussions in last weekend’s win against Australia. No replacements will be called up,” a Rugby Football Union statement read.

England lose both Kamikaze Kids

England head coach Eddie Jones called Underhill and Curry the ‘Kamikaze Kids’ due to their fearless play, but Jones will now be without the duo who shone during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Curry’s tour was cut short after being concussed for the third time in sixth months in Perth while Underhill has already missed three months earlier this season after he had two two head knocks in December.

“When it comes to concussions, player welfare is always now first and foremost,” said Underhill last Tuesday ahead of his return to England’s run-on side.

“There is no grey area – you are either okay or you are not and if you are not okay you are looked after. It’s always a frustrating injury because you can’t do an awful lot.

“One of the symptoms is tiredness so you don’t want to be falling asleep, it’s more of a symptom check.

“You have obviously got a return to play protocol so you check off bike, run, some training, and it can get fairly menial and tedious doing the same thing over and over again.

“It’s physically fairly basic and you can’t do an awful lot. That’s why it’s frustrating.”

READ MORE: Eddie Jones: England boss believes ‘the game is out of control’ after card fest in Test rugby