Sam Underhill replaces Jack Willis in England’s Rugby World Cup squad after the flanker suffered a neck injury in win over Chile
- Willis was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup with a neck injury
- Sam Underhill has now been called into England squad for knockout stages
- Bath player has been plagued by injuries but will get another World Cup shot
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
Sam Underhill has been called up to England’s World Cup squad as a replacement for Jack Willis.
The 27-year-old was cut from Steve Borthwick’s squad in July but he will now fly out to France for the knockout stages.
Underhill was one of the stars of the 2019 World Cup but he has been plagued by injuries, having played just one game since March.
He was named on the bench for Bath’s Premiership Cup game against Exeter on Saturday but did not make an appearance.
Underhill admitted last month that he was ‘gutted’ to miss out but he has been handed a reprieve in unfortunate circumstances after Willis suffered a neck injury.
England are expecting to face Fiji in the quarter final in Marseille, and they are also awaiting updates on an injury to Manu Tuilagi.
Sam Underhill has been called into the England Rugby World Cup squad to replace Jack Willis
Underhill was an England star of the 2019 World Cup and will return for the knockout stages
Willis pictured celebrating after he scored England’s eleventh try of the night against Chile
‘Jack unfortunately suffered an injury in the Test match versus Chile that he’s worked to recover from and to rehab from,’ said Borthwick last week.
‘Unfortunately he’s been unable at this stage to be fit and what that’s meant is that Jack has left the squad.
‘We anticipate the injury will be just a few weeks but given the timescales we’re operating in it means he will be replaced in the squad.
‘He’s naturally very, very disappointed. His returned to being back on the field has already started. I think that’s (a sign of) the determined man like that, that he wants to be the very best. He’s getting stuck into the work that needs to be done. ‘
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