Max Hicks Called Into England Squad After Four Injury Blows
Newcastle flanker Max Hicks has earned a first England call-up as head coach Steve Borthwick reshuffles for the Nations Championship match against Japan at Twickenham, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso out for the rest of the tournament.
Newcastle flanker Max Hicks has been called into England's 36-man squad for the first time, after head coach Steve Borthwick lost four players to injury before Saturday's Nations Championship match against Japan at Twickenham. Hicks is uncapped.
Max Hicks called England attention with strong form in the Prem and for England A. He was born in New Zealand but is eligible through his mother, who was born in Cornwall.
Injury blows after the Australia win
Wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out of the rest of the Nations Championship. The 23-year-old hurt his ankle in the first half of Sunday's 45-22 win over Australia, in a "hip-drop" tackle by Wallabies prop Angus Bell. Bell received a yellow card.
Seb Atkinson (hip), Ollie Chessum (shoulder) and full-back George Furbank (groin) will also miss the Japan game. England hope all three can return for the match against New Zealand. Flanker Tom Curry will not feature this autumn after feeling discomfort in his hip.
Borthwick now needs three new starters in the backline, plus a blindside flanker. He also indicated he is unlikely to start Ben Curry, whose minutes he is managing after a long injury layoff.
Who comes in
Harlequins' Jack Kenningham is also in the squad, along with scrum-half Archie McParland, centre Max Ojomoh and wings Noah Calouri and Tobias Elliott. Northampton's McParland is likely to press for a Twickenham debut. Elliott, of Saracens, is uncapped.
Ojomoh impressed for England A against an Argentina XV in Bath on Friday. "I thought there were a number of strong performances on Friday night. I think his was probably the standout performance," Borthwick said.
Ojomoh and Fraser Dingwall are both in line to start at inside-centre in place of Atkinson. Henry Pollock, who scored two tries off the bench on the wing against Australia, could move into the back row. Alex Coles may switch to the No 6 shirt.
On the wing, Elliott, Cadan Murley and Noah Caluori will come into consideration. Joe Marchant and Will Joseph can cover either the back three or outside centre.
Borthwick weighs changes
Borthwick said he did not want to overhaul a young side built on togetherness and cohesion. "I don't want to make wholesale changes, but given the medical report, it's probably looking a few more than I would have liked," he said.
Japan are coached by Eddie Jones, Borthwick's predecessor with England. Jones has promised to throw a few curveballs at his former side. Japan lost 28-21 to Wales in their November opener last weekend.
"I think Eddie is an absolutely outstanding coach," Borthwick said. "I'm sure Japan will have a tactical plan to come here and try and derail us. He's very good at that."
After Japan, England face the New Zealand All Blacks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, November 21.
