Maro Itoje fitness boost for England
England have received a shot in the arm after it was confirmed that Maro Itoje has been declared fit to play for Saracens in the Premiership on the weekend.
Itoje crossed for a try in Sarries’ 71-17 thrashing of Bath at the Rec in Round Five of the Premiership before leaving the field early in the second half due to a shoulder injury.
Set to face Wasps
However, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall confirmed that the England second-row will be in the selection mix for Sunday’s encounter against Wasps at the StoneX Stadium.
“He’s fine,” McCall said. “It’s a very minor shoulder injury but he will play this weekend.”
Jones has already lost Luke Cowan-Dickie and Anthony Watson for the entire Autumn Nations Series due to injury, with Jamie George replacing Cowan-Dickie in the squad having previously being omitted along with Saracens team-mates Mako and Billy Vunipola.
McCall, who said after the win against Bath that he would be “amazed” if his trio of players were overlooked by Jones for the fixtures against Tonga, Australia and South Africa, believes the Vunipola brothers are determined to force their way back into the national side.
“They are playing really well and they’ve still got the bit between their teeth,” McCall said.
“There’s still a hope for them that they can make their way back into the England squad and they want to try to do that, try to get back into the Six Nations. They’ve got to continue their good form.
“They are unbelievably competitive rugby players and I think they’ve proven that for a long time, not only at the highest club level but at international level as well.
“I think that anybody who saw their performance at the weekend – and in Billy’s case the weekends before that – would know that Billy’s somewhere near the best he’s played.
“I think that’s really encouraging that Billy’s had a full pre-season for the first time in a long time and is in the best shape he has been for a long time. He’s enjoying his rugby, playing really well and I think Sunday was one of his best games for a long time.
“Mako had a hugely influential game, so for the two of them I can say all you want me to say, but actions speak louder than words and I think they demonstrated on Sunday first of all how good they are and also how much it means to play at the highest level and push themselves hard.”
Jerry Flannery sings Alex Dombrandt’s praises
Meanwhile, Harlequins and England number eight Alex Dombrandt has received special praise from his club coach Jerry Flannery, who described him as “probably the most skilful forward” he has coached.
Dombrandt made his Test debut against Canada earlier this year and is expected to be England’s first-choice number eight during their upcoming Autumn Nations Series internationals.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form for club and country in 2021 and is expected to shine when England face Tonga, Australia and South Africa at Twickenham in November.
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