Five casualties for England training camp

Following injuries sustained at the weekend, Charlie Ewels (hamstring), Piers Francis (concussion), Jonathan Joseph (dead leg), Jack Nowell (ankle) and Harry Williams (concussion) will not join up with England for their training camp today (Monday).

Henry Thomas (Bath) and Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish) have been called up into the squad for the two-day camp in Brighton.

England head coach Eddie Jones had originally called 34 players into a training squad for the camp.

The camp will be used to begin preparations for England’s opening match of the Six Nations against Italy on 4 February in Rome.

Among the original 34 players were first call ups for Bath Rugby prop Beno Obano, 23, and Newcastle Falcons’ openside flanker Gary Graham.

“This camp in Brighton is important for us to set the tone as a squad ahead of the Six Nations,” said Jones.

“We will need to improve if we are to hunt down our opponents and beat them. This tournament will be exciting and challenging, as we know we will play against some very strong teams."