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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
John Evely

Steve Borthwick shows his hand as he trims his England squad to 26 ahead of Wales

Bath frontrow duo Will Stuart and Tom Dunn are two of two of ten players released by England head coach Steve Borthwick ahead of facing Wales on Saturday

As is customary Borthwick has retained a 26-player England squad for this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium - this is if the Wales players don't strike over contract issues with head coach Warren Gatland forced to delay his team announcement which was planned for Tuesday lunch time.

READ MORE: When is England's team news announcement ahead of Wales in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations?

There are some big name causalities amongst the list of those sent back to their clubs including Saracens' Ben Earl - who was a replacement against Italy last time out, and Leicester Tigers scrum half Ben Youngs.

A statement from England explained Sale flanker Tom Curry has withdrawn from the squad with a leg issue having only just been passed fit. His twin brother Ben Curry was called up in his place having started against Scotland in Round One and has trained today at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot before being released along with Exeter number eight Sam Simmonds, Saints lock David Ribbans, Sale prop Bevan Rodd, Northampton backs Fraser Dingwall, and Tommy Freeman and Sharks fly-half George Ford.

All 10 players will be able to rejoin their clubs ahead of Round 18 of the Gallagher Premiership.

Wales v England is live on BBC One and BBC Radio 5 Live.

FULL SQUAD
FORWARDS

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 97 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 11 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 74 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 10 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 64 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 76 caps)
Jack Walker (Harlequins, 1 cap)
Jack Willis (Toulouse, 7 caps)

BACKS
Henry Arundell (London Irish, 4 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 103 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
Max Malins (Saracens, 16 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 14 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 53 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 19 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)

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