Daly in England squad after Campions Cup hat-trick
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Saracens full-back Elliot Daly, who scored a brilliant hat-trick of tries in Round 3 of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday, has been included in Steve Borthwick’s first England squad.
Daly showcased his attacking ability as he crossed three times inside 23 minutes in Saracens’ 48-28 rout of Lyon, which booked their place in the Round of 16.
New England head coach Borthwick named the in-form 30-year-old in a 36-player squad ahead of this year’s Six Nations.
Daly returns to the international set-up while Harlequins wing Cadan Murley, who went over twice at Racing 92 in Round 3 of the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday, is included for the first time.
London Irish wing Ollie Hassell-Collins, Northampton Saints fly-half Fin Smith, Gloucester Rugby hooker George McGuigan and Quins counterpart Jack Walker also receive maiden call-ups
There are a further seven Saracens players in the squad – Owen Farrell, who was named captain, is joined by Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Ben Earl and Max Malins.
🔥Scores a hat-trick on Saturday
🌹Back in the @EnglandRugby squad on Monday
How glad are you to see @elliotdaly in Steve Borthwick's first squad?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/SXhBlxQfMi
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 16, 2023
Borthwick has selected seven players from former club Leicester, who are also through to the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 after winning 44-29 at ASM Clermont Auvergne on Friday, in Joe Heyes, Dan Cole, Ollie Chessum, Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs, Dan Kelly and Freddie Steward.
Bevan Rodd, Jonny Hill, Ben Curry and Manu Tuilagi are a quartet of Sale Sharks players in the squad – they remain in the hunt for the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stage with their club despite a 27-5 home defeat to Stade Toulousain on Saturday.
Northampton, who are without a win so far in the Heineken Champions Cup, have four further players included, in Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Tommy Freeman and Alex Mitchell.
Alex Dombrandt, Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant are further Quins players involved, while Exeter Chiefs, whose bonus point in a 39-28 defeat at Vodacom Bulls on Saturday secured their spot in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, have two representatives in Sam Simmonds and Henry Sale.
Jack Willis, who has helped Toulouse to maximum points in their first three Heineken Champions Cup Pool A matches, has also earned a call-up.