Steve Borthwick has resisted the urge to make major changes for England’s final autumn fixture against Japan on Sunday, calling up Cadan Murley and the returning Tom Curry to his training squad.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will not appear in England’s last outing of 2024 after failing to complete return-to-play protocols following the head injury he sustained in the 42-37 loss to Australia.
Having scored two tries in a 38-17 win over Australia A on Sunday at the Twickenham Stoop, Murley is the only player to have been promoted from the England A squad.
His tries decorated a busy all-round performance and the uncapped 25-year-old has joined up with the senior team at Pennyhill Park.
Murley is preferred to Gabriel Ibitoye and Will Muir, two other wings to have impressed for England A. Space in Borthwick’s front-line squad has been cleared by an injury to Elliot Daly.
Asher Opoku-Fordjou also featured for the second-string after dropping down from the seniors and remains in Borthwick’s group. The 20-year-old prop will be in contention for a Test debut this weekend against Eddie Jones’ side.
Curry’s return, as a replacement for Charlie Ewels, comes just over a week after he suffered what appeared to be a serious concussion against the Wallabies.
The back-rower lay motionless on the field for a considerable period before being replaced during the first half by Alex Dombrandt.
Speaking in the wake of Saturday evening’s 29-20 defeat by South Africa, Borthwick anticipated that both Curry and Feyi-Waboso would be available. However, the latter has been ruled out.
The England head coach did describe himself as “really positive” about Opoku-Fordjour’s promise as he looked ahead to a meeting with Eddie Jones.
“We will be preparing for this as well as we possibly can,” Borthwick said. “It’s always a privilege to be involved with the England team.
“I think every player feels that and we’ll be aiming to put in a performance that is a level above where we’ve been so far.”
