Harlequins forward Jack Clifford has been included in Eddie Jones’ England squad for the Six Nations game against Wales.
Clifford has been named in the group for the trip to Cardiff with back row Tom Wood a doubt due to a shoulder injury.
Wood is in the squad but has been unable to train this week due to the injury sustained in the 19-16 victory over France and while he is currently present among the forwards retained for Saturday’s Principality Stadium showdown, his fitness is not assured.
Fellow back-row forward Teimana Harrison has been released back to his club side Northampton after failing to make it off the replacements’ bench in the tournament opener against France.
James Haskell has returned to fitness after a seven-month lay-off because of toe surgery, but Jones has said his lack of game time means his contribution will be limited to another 25-minute cameo off the bench.
The indications from Tuesday afternoon’s training session were that Jonny May would make way for Jack Nowell on the right wing in a straight swap of duties from the France win.
Henry Slade is among the 24 players retained by Jones, in an updated squad announced by team management, and is likely to remain with England as travelling reserve.
England football manager Gareth Southgate and Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander observed the squad’s training at Pennyhill Park on Tuesday, and Jones was pleased to get the chance to pick up a few tips from them.
“We’ve had a brilliant learning day today with Gareth and Lisa,” said Jones.
“As we’ve always stated our aim is to get better every day and we want to get people into camp who have knowledge and great experience to learn from them.
“The staff shared a very interactive hour with them at a lunchtime meeting where we learnt a lot, reinforced some principles and also discovered some new things that we need to do to keep moving forward.”
England squad to play Wales:
Forwards: J Clifford (Harlequins), D Cole (Leicester), J George (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), N Hughes (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), M Mullan (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton)
Backs: M Brown (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), E Daly (Wasps), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), H Slade (Exeter), B Te’o (Worcester), B Youngs (Leicester)
