England: Steve Borthwick calls in Saracens and Bath forwards after key pair ‘unable to train’
England have been forced to call in two second-rowers to their training squad after Alex Coles and George Martin were unable to take part in training at Pennyhill Park.
Northampton Saints star Coles and Leicester Tigers forward Martin are sitting out training in a setback to head coach Steve Borthwick, who has replaced the pair.
Nick Isiekwe and Charlie Ewels have been added to the squad as replacements, with Martin set to remain in the England camp for rehabilitation as he is being monitored.
Unable to train
The Leicester Tigers lock was a try scorer for his club side in their Premiership victory against Newcastle Falcons but is being managed after Saturday’s 42-10 away win.
Coles meanwhile exited the action after just 10 minutes for Northampton Saints in the 33-29 triumph over Harlequins on Friday evening and appeared to be holding his ribs.
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The other lock options that were included in coach Borthwick’s original squad are Ollie Chessum and Maro Itoje so Isiekwe and Ewels should enjoy plenty of action in training.
Martin will join the likes of Henry Slade, Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore in attending this week’s training camp, but only to continue their rehabilitation.
Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir, Max Ojomoh (all Bath), Ben Curry, Tom Curry, George Ford, Raffi Quirke, Bevan Rodd (all Sale) and Northampton Saints’ Alex Mitchell are injured.
Important camp
“This training camp is an important part of our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series as we continue to build on the cohesion we’ve developed over the past two campaigns,” Borthwick said when announcing his England training squad last week.
“The squad reflects the depth and quality we have in English rugby, and we are looking forward to working with the players ahead of what will be a highly competitive series.”
England face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on November 2 for their first Autumn Nations Series game, before tackling Australia, South Africa and Japan.