Wednesday Round-Up

Nowell in for England: England head coach Stuart Lancaster has sprung somewhat of a surprise selection in his final squad for this weekend’s all important clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Having previously seen Gloucester’s Jonny May wearing the 11 jersey for the opening two rounds, the winger-cum-fullback is replaced by Exeter’s Jack Nowell, who impressed Lancaster on club duties last weekend, inspring his side to a 32-21 victory over Harlequins. Having featured in all five of England’s Six Nations outings last season, Nowell is more than familiar with the English setup under Lancaster and should slot back in on with comfortable ease. Elsewhere, Saracens’ Alex Goode is retained in the squad as expected, with English fans and support staff alike sweating on the fitness of Quins’ Mike Brown, who continues his graduated return to play protocol. Upfront, Kieran Brookes may succumb to a hip flexor strain and so Henry Thomas of Bath has been called into training and will link up with the squad later today. The final squad of 26 will assemble at Pennyhill Park on Thursday, before travelling to Dublin on Friday for the all important Sunday afternoon clash.

Reds’ woes continue: Queensland Reds head coach Richard Graham can’t seem to catch a break so far this season, with yet more news filtering through of injury to another member of his squad. New arrival at the cliub, Japanese lock forward Hendrik Tui, is the latest in a long line of players to be struck down by injury, before he’s even touched down on Australian soil. Having fractured his fibule while playing for Suntory Goliath in the climax of the Japanese Top League, Tui is expected to be sidelined for a month, joining a plethora of frontline players in the treatment room. The Reds’ current injury list includes the likes of James Horwill (hand), Quade Cooper (collarbone), Greg Holmes (thumb), Rob Simmons (shoulder) and Beau Robinson (calf).

Ryan Sheady