England forced into late change as uncapped back drafted into extended 36-man squad
Charlie Bracken (right) has been added to England's 36-man squad for a three-day alignment camp
England have been forced into a late change to their 36-man alignment camp this week, with uncapped Saracens man Charlie Bracken drafted in.
The scrum-half comes into the extended squad in place of Northampton Saints’ Archie McParland, who withdraws from the group through illness. His arrival also comes amid the backdrop of injury concerns over both Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer, who miss out on the squad.
England began a three-day camp yesterday afternoon (Sunday, 6 September), as Steve Borthwick’s side begin preparations for the Nations Championship Tests in November. It also marks the start of their World Cup year, ahead of the showpiece tournament in Australia next October.
England forced into late change as Charlie Bracken joins squad
“Charlie Bracken (Saracens) has joined the England squad to replace Archie McParland (Northampton Saints), who has withdrawn from the squad due to illness,” a RFU statement read.
“England have begun a three-day training camp ahead of the forthcoming Nations Championship. The squad will train at England’s Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park until Tuesday 8 September.
“England welcome Australia to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday 8 November in Round 4 of the Nations Championship, before taking on Japan and New Zealand.”
Bracken has already spent some time with the senior squad after making the extended training squad ahead of July’s Nations Championship Tests, and was a regular feature of the U20s side between 2022 and 2023 with 14 Test caps to his name at that level.
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The 22-year-old scrum-half does boast strong professional experience for a player of his age, though, with 48 senior appearances for Saracens to his name after making his debut in 2022.
Bracken is the only change to the previously advertised 36-man group that met at Pennyhill Park yesterday, with Borthwick naming a strong squad. Captain Maro Itoje is the headline inclusion as he makes his return to the Test side following an extended break in the summer, while the head coach also called in uncapped men Kepu Tuipulotu and Greg Fisilau.
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Updated England 36-man squad in full
Forwards: Fin Baxter, Arthur Clark, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Greg Fisilau, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Emmanuel Iyogun, George Kloska, George Martin, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Guy Pepper, Henry Pollock, Will Stuart, Kepueli Tuipulotu, Sam Underhill
Backs: Seb Atkinson, Charlie Bracken, Elliot Daly, Tobias Elliott, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Cadan Murley, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet
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