Ollie Hassell-Collins is pushing for his England debut in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham.
The London Irish wing has forced his way into Steve Borthwick’s first England squad, and could now make his Test bow in the Six Nations opener.
Hassell-Collins was among the 29 players retained by England on Tuesday night, as preparations ramp up for Borthwick’s first match at the Test helm.
New boss Borthwick recently revealed how his right-hand man Kevin Sinfield had raved about Hassell-Collins' defensive abilities. Add that off-the-ball strength to his arch finishing, strike-running and kicking prowess, and Borthwick and Sinfield believe Hassell-Collins is ready to make a big Test impact.
Lock Jonny Hill and flanker Jack Willis were the big fall-guys of Borthwick releasing seven players. Sale lock Hill started all four of England’s autumn Tests but struggled in the 27-13 defeat by South Africa that closed the chastening November and ultimately cost boss Eddie Jones his job.
Borthwick has now opted to retain Leicester’s Ollie Chessum and Northampton’s David Ribbans ahead of Hill, with Saracens duo Maro Itoje and Nick Isiekwe the other second rows still in camp.
Toulouse flanker Willis has effectively missed out on England selection for the Scotland match because of his club commitments in France. The 26-year-old only moved to Toulouse because of Wasps’ administration in October, leaving England sympathetic to his situation but hamstrung by limited access to one of their most promising flankers.
Wasps going to the wall has allowed England to invoke the “exceptional circumstances” clause to select Willis despite his overseas-club status, but defence coach Sinfield explained the stark realities of his limited training time.
“It’s been such a close, tough call for us, we have some unbelievable players in that position,” said Sinfield. “Jack is going to be a huge part of us going forward and he’s outstanding.
“Unfortunately, we have only had him for three training sessions really and that has made it difficult with selection for him. But he has shown us absolutely what a great player he is.”
