Six Nations news: England lock Maro Itoje ruled out of France and Wales games
Ireland No.8 CJ Stander also expected to miss the next two rounds
England vs. France
- What: Six Nations round two
- When: Sunday 10 February
- Where: Twickenham, London
- Start time: 3pm
- TV channel: live on ITV
England lock Maro Itoje will miss the Six Nations fixtures against France and Wales but he is expected to return to action before the end of the tournament.
British & Irish Lion Itoje suffered knee medial ligament damage during the 32-20 victory against Ireland on Saturday and he will be replaced in the England squad by Saracens team-mate Nick Isiekwe.
Speaking to the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast, England scrum-half Danny Care said of Itoje: “He’s a world-class player. He’s a guy who gives you an unbelievable amount of energy every defensive and attacking play, he’s in your face, he’s someone teams do not want to play against.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“He’s a big loss for England. I hope he’s back as soon as possible but there will be other players who can step up to the plate.”
England head coach Eddie Jones has named an initial 35-man squad for Sunday’s match against France at Twickenham. Included alongside Isiekwe are uncapped quartet Jack Singleton, Ben Earl, Dan Robson and Ollie Thorley.
England’s 35-man squad
- Forwards: Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
- Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens, captain), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Scotland vs. Ireland
- What: Six Nations round two
- When: Saturday 9 February
- Where: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Start time: 2.15pm
- TV channel: live on BBC
Ireland have also been hit by injury after No.8 CJ Stander was ruled out of the matches against Scotland and Italy.
Stander suffered facial injuries in the defeat against England and could be out for four weeks, the BBC reports. He hopes to return for the clash against France on 10 March.
Scotland host Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday and they have called up hooker Fraser Brown and prop Murray McCallum to their squad.
Italy vs. Wales
- What: Six Nations round two
- When: Saturday 9 February
- Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Start time: 4.45pm
- TV channel: live on ITV and S4C
Italy have called up uncapped Benetton hooker Engjel Makelara to their squad for the clash against Wales in Rome on Saturday.
Makelara is replaced by Oliviero Fabiani while scrum-half Tito Tebaldi has also left the squad because of injury. Edoardo Gori takes Tebaldi’s place.
Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins told the BBC that there are no fresh injury worries following the 24-19 win against France last Friday.
“Most of the boys have come through without serious injury and I would say everybody will be OK for Saturday,” said Jenkins. “The boys seem OK. It is normal after a Test match with battered and bruised bodies.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump completes Cabinet selections
Speed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'The arrest orders undermine the ICC's credibility'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What are Trump's plans for the climate?
Today's big question Trump's America may be a lot less green
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Six Nations: a new golden age for French rugby?
feature The hosts of next year’s Rugby World Cup will take some stopping
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
2022 Six Nations ‘Super Saturday’: round five fixtures, title permutations, TV, standings
In Depth France are on course for the grand slam, but can Ireland pip them to the title?
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Rejuvenated England show spirit, unity and ‘never-say-die courage’
feature Eddie Jones’s new-look side complete autumn Test clean sweep by toppling South Africa
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published