One of England’s most notorious villains has been ruled out of preparations for the end-of-year Tests in the northern hemisphere.
Owen Farrell added to England coach Eddie Jones’ injury woes after it was announced on Monday the former skipper had withdrawn from a training camp ahead of the autumn internationals.
England are spending five days in Jersey but flyhalf-centre Farrell won’t be making the trip to the Channel Island after suffering a concussion during Saracens’ 22-20 English Premiership win over Exeter on Saturday.
Experienced wing Jonny May has also pulled out after sustaining an elbow injury while Gloucester defeated London Irish 22-21 on Friday.
However, injured duo Henry Arundell and Will Stuart will still make the journey to Jersey despite their respective foot and knee injuries.
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England already expect to be without injured hooker Jamie George for next month’s Tests at home to Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and the world-champion Boks as they continue their buildup to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Farrell will follow return-to-play protocols at London club Saracens, with Sale’s Tom Roebuck earning a first call-up to an England squad as Jones recalled Henry Slade and Adam Radwan.
Courtney Lawes, who along with Farrell has captained England, had already been ruled out of the training squad as he, too, continues his recovery from a concussion. The star forward, who led England to a series win in Australia in July, has played for his club Northampton only once this season.
Lawes suffered a head injury in the 50th minute of Northampton’s defeat by Leicester on 24 September. Slade missed the tour of Australia because of shoulder surgery, but has been in action for Exeter since the start of the season.
England begin their end-of-year Twickenham campaign against the Pumas on 6 November.
© Agence France-Presse
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