Sam Underhill has replaced Jack Willis in England’s Rugby World Cup squad.
The Bath flanker was due to join the England squad in Lille on Sunday, to help Steve Borthwick’s side prepare for next weekend’s World Cup quarter-final.
Toulouse flanker Willis suffered a neck injury in England’s 71-0 win over Chile in the third round of Pool D action.
England tried to rehab the minor problem to allow Willis to continue at the World Cup in France.
But England’s medics had to give up that ghost earlier this week, leaving Willis out of the rest of the competition given he cannot train or play.
Underhill impressed greatly in England’s summer training camps, and his peers were shocked when he was cut from the wider World Cup preparations.
Now he has won the fight to replace Willis, ahead of the likes of Jack Willis’ brother Tom, and former London Irish flanker Tom Pearson, who were also involved in England’s summer camps.
Underhill starred in England’s run to the 2019 World Cup final in Japan, but has since struggled with a string of frustrating injuries.
The 27-year-old hit back to fitness and form just before England’s summer World Cup preparation camps however, and will now jump straight into training in France.
“Firstly it is probably only fair to say we’re really disappointed to lose Jack Willis and wish him all the best, and want him back on the field as soon as possible,” said Kevin Sinfield.
“One door closes for someone and another opens. Sam was outstanding with us during the summer.
“He trained the house down but he didn’t stay with us. We followed him closely and stayed in touch.
“He is a Test match animal and a fantastic player.
“It just shows the quality that we have back in England and we’re delighted he’s been able to join us.
“It is a like for like replacement. He brings some differences but many similarities and he’s a great character as well.
“He knows what it is like to play well at World Cups. He has done it previously and he brings a great deal of experience too.”
Asked if Underhill can fight for a place in the quarter-final match squad, Sinfield continued: “Without a shadow of a doubt. He’ll come in hard, there’s no doubt about that.
“He’s a smart guy and he’ll pick things up really, really quickly and we require a simple gameplan anyway, because of the time we have had together it is meant to be that way. Sam will be great.”
