‘Test-match animal’ answers England’s SOS for Rugby World Cup knockouts

Experienced loose forward Sam Underhill will head out to France to join England’s Rugby World Cup squad as an injury replacement for Jack Willis.

Willis was sidelined after sustaining a neck issue in England’s 71-0 thrashing of Chile last month but it was only on Wednesday that he learned he would not recover in time to take part in the global showpiece’s knockout phase.

Surprising call-up

Underhill‘s call-up ahead players like Tom Willis, Tom Pearson or Alex Dombrandt is somewhat surprising as he was axed early from England head coach Steve Borthwick‘s World Cup training squad.

Borthwick’s decision to remove Underhill from contention in mid-July created shockwaves amongst players as the Bath flanker was one of England’s star players during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Now the 27-year-old, who is renowned for his hard edge in defence, will have the chance to reprise his ‘Kamikaze Kids’ partnership with fellow back-rower Tom Curry.

Willis, Pearson and Dombrandt were informed they were surplus to requirements for the World Cup when Borthwick named his final squad in early August, but Underhill, who will join up with England in Lille on Sunday, has more experience than each of them and brings a proven World Cup track record.

England defence coach Kevin Sinfield said while it’s disappointing to lose Willis, he is looking forward to working with Underhill.

“First it is only fair to say we are really disappointed to be losing Jack Willis,” he said. “We wish him the best and we want him back on the field as soon as possible. One door closes for someone and another one opens. Sam was outstanding with us during the summer, he trained the house down and unfortunately, for whatever reason which we won’t share with you guys, he didn’t stay with us.

“We followed him closely, we have kept in touch. He is a Test-match animal, he is a fantastic player and it shows some of the quality we have got back in England. We are delighted he is able to join us.

‘A like-for-like replacement’

“It is a like-for-like replacement for Jack and he brings some small differences but there are many similarities. He is a great character as well. He knows what it’s like to play well at World Cups, he has done it previously. He brings a great deal of experience too.”

When asked if Underhill can contest selection for England’s upcoming quarter-final, Sinfield said: “Yeah without a shadow of a doubt. He will come and add, there is no doubt about that. He is a smart guy, he will pick things up really quickly.

“We run quite a simple plan anyway because of the time we have had together it has meant it has to be that way. Sam will be great.”

Meanwhile, Sinfield also provided positive fitness updates on Manu Tuilagi and Jamie George.

“I have just been told that they have both got the all-clear. Yeah [free for selection],” he said.

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