Monye plugs Senior gap

Harlequins wing Ugo Monye has been drafted into England's Elite Player Squad as replacement for the injured James Simpson-Daniel.

Harlequins wing Ugo Monye has been drafted into England's Elite Player Squad as replacement for the injured James Simpson-Daniel.

Team Manager Martin Johnson has also called London Irish centre Delon Armitage and Monye's team-mate Nick Easter from the England Saxons group as injury cover for hamstring victims Mathew Tait and Luke Narraway.

Meanwhile, injury prone Simpson-Daniel will undergo surgery next week after suffering ankle ligament damage that threatens to sideline him until late January.

Johnson's players will assemble at their Surrey training base on Sunday in preparations for their opening autumn Test against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham on November 8.

Neither Gloucester number eight Narraway nor Sale Sharks back Tait are involved for their clubs in this weekend's round of EDF Energy Cup action.
A decision on both players' fitness is expected to be made by Monday week after receiving treatment from England's medical team.

If they are deemed unfit, they will return to their clubs for further treatment, meaning both Armitage and Easter would remain with the Senior England squad.

“Ugo Monye, Nick Easter and Delon Armitage have all been playing well for their clubs this season,” Johnson said, who is expected to announce the Saxons replacements next week.

“I was able to fast-track Delon by bringing him into the Saxons last night, and into the England senior squad this morning.”