Sam Underhill has returned to the England squad for the Rugby World Cup. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
England manager Steve Borthwick has called up flanker Sam Underhill to replace Jack Willis, who was withdrawn from England's World Cup squad on Friday.
Underhill, who started the World Cup final 2019 World Cup winner, was dropped from England's wider training squad by Borthwick in July. . However, the 27-year-old was called up to the squad ahead of back-row alternatives Zach Mercer, Tom Willis, Alex Dombrandt and Tom Pearson and will join the squad ahead of their likely quarter-final match against Fiji.< /p>
Underhill struggled for fitness in the final World Cup, suffering from repeated concussions, the most recent of which he suffered in March. His form makes him one of the most destructive defenders in the world. Eddie Jones, Borthwick's predecessor, called him and Tom Curry “kamikaze kids” at the last world championship.
And despite the victory. He last played for the national team more than 12 months ago. England defense coach Kevin Sinfield has suggested Underhill will be included in the shortlist for the likely quarter-final against Fiji.
“Without a shadow of a doubt,” Sinfield said. “He will come hard, there is no doubt about that. He's a smart guy and he picks up on things very, very quickly, and we need a simple plan anyway, because given the time we've spent together, that's the way it should be. Sam will be great.
“It's probably fair to say that we are very disappointed to lose Jack Willis, we wish him all the best and we want him back on the field as soon as possible. For some, one door closes and another opens. Sam had a great time with us all summer. He trained the house, but, unfortunately, for some reason he did not stay with us.”
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