Tom Croft and Christian Day have been called into the England senior squad as injury cover for Tom Wood and Geoff Parling, both of whom sustained knocks during the weekend’s European Cup action.
Parling sustained a knee injury while Wood hurt his ankle, and Croft and Day will train with the squad until they are fully assessed. Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell and Kyle Eastmond are all being treated for injuries, while Luther Burrell is following the graduated return to play protocol after suffering a concussion.
England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The players will be fully assessed once they get into camp this evening and it’s too early to give any definitive news on their status.
“Tom’s ankle and Owen’s knee has been scanned. Owen will see a specialist this evening and we will be able to provide an update on him and the other injured players tomorrow, along with any other potential additions to the squad.”
Carl Fearns and James Gaskell have been called into the England Saxons squad as cover.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
28 replies on “Croft and Day called into senior England squad”
Even though England are down to their 4th or 5th choice in some positions, they will have no excuses, as they have more registered players than anyone else so they should not be impacted.
Apparently.
Benjit, where are England down to their 5th choice? Genuine question. I can see the injuries stacking up but I’m not on top of all of it to see exactly where they are.
I don’t think it’s as black and white as your sarcasm implies though. England should be a bit more more resilient to injuries than some other nations – and yes, I’d include Wales in that. England have > 12 professional clubs with English qualified quotas. Wales have 4. However, I take your point that even with a wider pool you don’t necessarily have many more world class players than smaller nations. I think the truth lies somewhere between the two – England definitely have more depth than Wales but I would say that I think the first XVs for both sides are more evenly matched – England have more 2nd tier quality players than Wales.
With 1 week to go I have my fingers crossed that we (Wales) don’t suffer in training and still very worried that our two main tightheads in the squad are not yet fit, and neither is Liam Williams.
Anyway, we all know that “no excuses” are true even if we turn up with out 5th choice in every position. This is a crucial 6 nations for all teams involved.
Second row – with Launchbury, Lawes, Parling and Slater out, a combo of Atwood and (likely) Kruis would have been 4th and 6th choice locks. Kitchener is theoretically 7th choice…
Ta Henry, that is a might injury list. I’d have Parling ahead of Lawes myself anyway so did think that was a cruel blow for England when he went off at the weekend. Could be an interesting part of the match. AWJ/Charteris/Bradley/Ball all in good shape for Wales and we could arguably start with any 2 of those (AWJ/Ball for me). Lineouts/Scrums an opportunity for Wales? I’m worried Samson Lee isn’t fully fit but England missing Cole as well so it’s not a dead cert who’s going to have the upper hand in the front row I think.
Lineouts possibly – especially if T Youngs is involved
Scrums hard to call. Attwood is a big unit to give ballast. Marler has come on leaps and bounds, Wilson is possibly a better scrummager than Cole and Hartley is good at the technical side of being a hooker
Then on the bench we’ll have either Corbs / M Vunipola and Cole / Brookes – all of whom can play a bit
Scrums are probably the bit I’m least concerned about (famous last words)
Yeh would be AWJ and Ball for me too – been really impressed with Ball recently. Know he signed up to stay in Wales, would have been very very keen to get him to Tigers, especially if the rumours about Parling leaving to Exeter are true…
Agree with Pablito – can see parity in the scrums since Marler has come on so far since ‘that’ drubbing last time, I would say Corbs scrummaging has looked shakier since he came back in fact, but lineouts are a worry. I seem amongst the few that rate T Youngs – think most of his demons are behind him – but will be some unfamiliar units involved, with little time to get up to speed. Thank god Kruis was at least involved in the autumn!
Tom Youngs is key there for me. At the mo a classic “good in the loose” hooker. England will need a good thrower and someone who can hook and push. Have to start with Hartley. Can see Youngs making a good impact off the bench.
Interestingly Youngs actually has the best throwing stats this year for an English hooker… that all goes out the window in the pressure situation of Cardiff of course.
All this ‘Youngs can’t throw in’ stuff is a bit lazy in my book (reminds me of the old ‘Tom Croft is a show pony’ argument). Tigers had the best line-out in group stages or ERCC and he played 4/6 games.
Also have a more than solid scrum, and especially if Cole is fit I can’t see that being an issue for England. Should start IMO purely because he is playing better than Hartley atm.
Sorry Jamie, but I think you’re wrong. Youngs’ record for throwing in when playing for England is poor – it is arguable that it has even cost us games.
Youngs may be able to do it for Leicester but when it comes to international pressure situations with unfamiliar jumpers and calls, I will go for Hartley every time. His performance at the line-out over the AIs was outstanding.
Allied to this, Youngs has shown little to no ability when it comes to hooking at the scrum
No need to apologise for your opinion Pablito!
Fair point re the international arena, there’s certainly more pressure and I agree Hartley was awesome in the autumn. I still think it’s worth giving Youngs a shot in the starting shirt this 6N though, if he can pass the lineout-throwing exam then he is England’s best hooker by some way in my book.
Re hooking, I don’t really think it’s an issue that crops up too often – with the way scrums tend to go these days (i.e. down) and the ball being fed into the second rows’ feet, I’m not convinced that’s too much of a black mark on him.
Massively agree with this, particularly regarding Croft too – lot of nonsense as far as I can tell.
Youngs certainly has had a few issues in this area – but there aren’t many in world rugby that haven’t thrown poorly on occasions.
That being said – Hartley is a much better hooker in my book but Youngs should definitely be our bench option.
It’s also about combinations. Rugby isn’t individuals; the balance of the front 5 and the back row to the midfield and half backs. Any injuries are disruptive but on this scale it virtually a baa baa type situation.
I would have thought Kitchener would be the next man promoted, not Day? Anyway, could this be a slight blessing in disguise? If Wood is unable to play it will force Lancaster’s hand into playing someone more dynamic. If Croft proves himself in training I would be tempted to start him, and have Haskell or Easter on the bench. Saying that I would still be tempted to have Vunipola at 6, and Easter at 8. The though of Easter running from the back of a scrum, taking two or three tacklers out and then offloading to Billy V would be something to watch!!
Has Croft lost any of his pace after his numerous injuries? Haven’t seen enough of him play recently to know.
Dazza, Kitchener was in the initial squad so is ahead of Day. As for Croft, I’m quite surprised to see him promoted back so quickly – certainly trading off past glories IMO. A fine player, but hasn’t done anything particularly brilliant in the few games that he’s had back. Harsh on guys Like Garvey/Ewers who have been performing consistently this season.
Didn’t realise Kitchener was in the senior squad. Doh!
Must admit the likes of Garvey, Ewers etc should feel a little hard done by. I suppose Croft still has some “credit in the bank” from past performances? Even if they are from about three years ago?
Do you think Croft can still surprise us? It would be a surprise if he played for more than 40 minutes for England without getting injured. After all he is a Tiger!
Be interesting to see what SL does with the locks now. Tempting to play Easter in there with Attwood and have Kruis on the bench? Harsh on Kitchener but I think it would be stronger against Wales to go with that.
Back row doesn’t change for me as I’d have started with Haskell, Robshaw and Vunipola anyway. Clarke will probably get a bench spot.
Back line appears to be decimated by injuries so fingers crossed some are fit to play! We definitely don’t have strength in depth there like we do in the pack.
A back line of Ford, May, Barritt (trust me on this we will need him against Wales), Joseph, Nowell and Watson doesn’t seem too bad. Although I suspect we are unlikely to see that. I fear SL will revert back to the disastrous partnership of 12T and Barritt.
Roberts runs over 12T like a steamroller, creating a massive hole in midfield, leaving Barritt to try and tidy up and getting pulled inside too early, leaving loads of space for North and Cuthbert on the wings. Oh dear!!
I actually think we might see something close to that. But definitely with Brown at 15 with either Nowell or Watson in the 23 shirt.
I’m thinking (and wanting): Youngs, Ford, May, Barritt, Joseph, Watson, Brown
Then Care, Farrell (if injured Cips), Nowell on the bench.
Genuinely believe they’ll play Joseph – SL has played him before when he has been on form. He went massively off the boil last year but has been brilliant again this year. A recent interview with Farrell Snr. had him talking about Joseph. He said something along the lines of, “we asked him in the Autumn to go away and work on his contact work which has come on brilliantly…”. Just made me think that they’ll play him. Can’t think of a possible reason not to.
Given Joseph’s last-ditch tackle against Glasgow on the weekend, it looks like he’s put some serious work in on his defence
I can live with Barritt at 12 if Joseph is picked outside him. Anything rather than the 12T Barritt combo
Easter and Attwood at lock would be interesting but I can’t see it happening. Kitchener is pretty decent in the line-out isn’t he?
I suspect he will start with Attwood and Kruis. Kruis is a versatile player with plenty of grunt and pace for a big lad. Also very good in the line-out.
I would love to see Joseph get a run out, and actually feel outside Barritt would be good. Ford would be able to bring Joseph into the game, and I think Barritt might play better outside Ford than he does with Farrell. I just have that dreaded feeling that 12T will look great in training and SL will forget how bad he can be in the heat of battle. I’d rather try Joseph, and let him prove himself than play someone who’s had plenty of chances and still not prove himself!
I think I am right in saying that Croft has played second row for England, though possibly only coming on as a sub. Can’t see him starting, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him on the bench as Lock cover.
Barritt and Joseph in the middle for me.
(not the middle of the scrum btw)
Playing Easter in the second row is exactly the same as playing wood at 8 isn’t it – playing a player out of his best position when there are perfectly good specialist options available seems pointless. Attwood, Kruis, Kitchener and Day are all good players – whatever happened to Paterson, he was excellent last season but seems to have disappeared.
Don’t think Croft should be there, hasn’t played enough for me – would rather see Clark on the bench with a back row of Vunipola, Easter and Haskell. I know Robshaw is the captain but like the carrying threat of these 3 against Wales.
Interesting to see how Farrell’s injury impacts selection – seems to be a straight fight between Cips and Myler for a bench spot.
Well if reports are to be believed – Farrell and Barritt are out the the Wales game. Wales away is the one game that I would pick Barritt for and he’s injured! Typical!
I guess Burrell / Joseph then. Really hope Burrell sorts himself out after last Saturdays defensive embarrassment opposite Roberts. Unless Eastmond is fit? Really hope he is but no news on him as far as I’ve heard.
@ Blub – Croft covered lock for the second Lions test last year too, as he has done for England. He has no problem playing there but don’t see him getting into the 23 for the Wales test. Him and Day are really cover and men in training more than anything else. Injury cover rarely go from Saxons to match day 23 with on injury in their position.
Burrell did well last year against Roberts and Davies but last weekend was a bit of a worry
Really not sure I want to see Roberts, Davies, North and Cuthbert running at Ford, Eastmond and Joseph and if we do, Haskell will have to tackle like he did against Quins
I think we’ll see 12T and Burrell.
Personally, I’d bring Slade in from the Saxons – he’s very good defensively and can play 10, 12 or 13 – but that is never going to happen
That is true – I can’t get images of his awful tackling from last week out my head! Plus a few awful misses against Welsh the other week!
I really think that we will see Joseph start – maybe with 12T’s but I hope not.
Slade is an interesting one – I’ve continued to say hold him back and I still think that is the right call.
Slade… interesting. I am a massive fan and think he is 100% the future 12 England need if they want that second receiver in at 12, plus he is excellent defensively, only really behind Barritt in the centres England have – but to make his debut in this match, with either Joseph or Burrell outside him? Could be Matt Tait all over again…
All hypothetical mind you as he hasn’t been called up. Though would pick anyone over 12T. Looks like Burrell/Joseph I guess.
Though with Farrell, Eastmond and Barritt crocked at least short term, and Burrell concussed until Friday at least, 12T and Joseph are the only two actually training?? Oh no…
So scrap my earlier thoughts. Get on the phone to Slade now. Please. Not. Twelvetrees.
I don’t think I am the only one lamenting the lack of Brad Barritt in the English Midfield. It feels kind of odd….