England are waiting on the result of an x-ray to Maro Itoje, who is a doubt for the autumn internationals after injuring his hand in Saracens’ Champions Cup win over Scarlets on Saturday.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury after being caught in a tackle shortly after half time. He played no further part in the game and was due to undergo the x-ray to determine any possible fracture. Saracens said he would also need to see a specialist.
“Maro came off with a sore hand,” said the Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall. “He will be examined and have an x-ray after which we will know more.”
Saracens are due to give an update on Monday.
Should Itoje be ruled out of the series, which opens against South Africa at Twickenham on November 12, it will be another blow to coach Eddie Jones who has already seen four flankers, second row George Kruis and several backs, including Manu Tuilagi ruled out.
Itoje had been touted to move from lock, where England are well served with replacements, to the problem area of flanker following the injuries to James Haskell, Jack Clifford, Mike Williams and Sam Jones.
In the autumn series, England also play Fiji on November 19, Argentina on November 29 and Australia on December 3.
Colin N
Guest
That's the pack I would select. As for the query below about the back-row being too slow, I would contest that by saying Haskell isn't exactly quick and it went fine in Australia. Hughes' workrate is also outstanding and his skillset does fit that of a six. Personally, I would have George over Hartley, he's just a better rugby player in pretty much every facet - scrummaging, lineout, open play, workrate - but of course Hartley's the captain. As for that backline, again it's similar to what I would have but Rokoduguni probably deserves the spot over May. The Gloucester wing's looked sharp in the Challenge Cup despite being out for 10 months, but he's probably not Test-ready yet. This weekend against a struggling Northampton is a big opportunity for him.
JimmyB
Guest
Need a bit more pace in the back row I would have thought. I reckon we might see Rokoguduni on the wing instead of Yarde (well hopefully anyway). It'll be interesting too as to how he goes with the bench props, does he go solid or does he go for impact and put Genge and Sinkler in there? Williams, Harrison - no. Beaumont might get a bench gig. Most England fans are desperate to see Dan Robson at least get a spot on the bench, but Care has the experience so will probably get in there. Manu may well never play for England again such are his injury problems, would be such a shame but there's a lot of talk that he might end up like Corbs. Given that starting XV which is probably not too far off I reckon, i'd expect to see maybe Teo and Daly on the pine.
What!
Guest
Oh, M.Williams is out too. Tuilagi might be underdone also. Mind you, E.Daley and H.Slade could replace Tuilagi and there are a few locks floating around the Aviva that are pretty handy.
CUW
Guest
out for 6 weeks
What!
Guest
1 M.Vunipola 2 D.Hartley 3 D.Cole 4 J.Launchbury 5 C.Lawes 6 N.Hughes 7 C.Robshaw 8 B.Vunipola 9 B.Youngs 10 G.Ford 11 J.May 12 I.Farrell 13 J.Joseph 14 M.Yarde 15 M.Brown 16 J.George 17 J.Marler 18 K.Brookes 19 M.Williams 20 T.Harrison 21 D.Care 22 M.Tuilagi 23 A.Goode Looks pretty good to me.
What!
Guest
Well tbh there is no doubt, they have it.
What!
Guest
Its a shame. Hes a world 15 player imo. An excellent lock. However Lawes and Launchbury are quality too. Haskells a loss but I think the backrow will be just fine. Young Mallinder looks to be the perfect blueprint for England at 12. Not yet perhaps but...
Colin N
Guest
The depth's there but it's more a continuity thing. Five changes to a starting line-up at one time is a lot, particularly when they haven't played together for four or five months.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I think the injured hand would be healed by the time the aust game was played in 6 weeks.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
We've been hearing about the depth of English rugby for awhile, now they get to prove they have it.....or not.
CUW
Guest
they still have ROBSHAW :) to be fair , Haskell and Clifford were injured a while back. anyways , there may be recalls for wing May and most probably Kitchener (4) . it will be interesting to see if Jones will play Robshaw at 7 since he has an awesome 6 in Nathan Hughes.
JimmyB
Guest
They're dropping like flies at the moment. The South Africa match is getting harder by the day.
Rugby Fan
Roar Guru
The injury count so far means there will be at least five definite changes from the starting XV for most of the series against Australia. Two locks; Kruis and Itoje; two wingers: Watson and Nowell; and one flanker: Haskell.