Wigglesworth, Haskell and Twelvetrees in England squad for Samoa

Nov 19 • General News, International • 2555 Views • Comments Off on Wigglesworth, Haskell and Twelvetrees in England squad for Samoa

Richard Wigglesworth, James Haskell and Billy Twelvetrees make their first appearances in a match day squad this series after being named among the 23 players to face Samoa in the third QBE International.

Saracens scrum half Wigglesworth, who won the last of his 14 Test caps on the 2013 tour to Argentina, replaces the starting No.9 from the three-point defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, Harlequins’ Danny Care.

Similarly, Wasps back row Haskell adds the experience of 51 Test appearances in taking the place of Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola and Gloucester Rugby centre Billy Twelvetrees is in for Bath Rugby’s Kyle Eastmond, who suffered concussion against the Springboks.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said he always planned to look at options during a four-game series and is rewarding players for their form.

“We always wanted to use these four games to look at options in our squad and Billy, Richard and James have been in great form for their clubs and pressing hard in training.

“We always wanted to use these four games to look at options”

“Kyle has not been able to train due to the Graduated Return To Play protocol and will return to Bath to continue that process and hopefully he should be available for his club this weekend along with the other released players.”

Looking to arrest a run of five straight defeats on Saturday, Lancaster added: “We’ve got another full day of training tomorrow and the players are fully focused on another tough challenge against Samoa.”

The team to play Samoa will be announced at 4.15pm on Wednesday.

England squad to face Samoa
Forwards (13)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs (10)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Returning to Aviva Premiership clubs
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)