LAST UPDATE | 11 Mar 2022

INFLUENTIAL SECOND ROW Maro Itoje has emerged as a doubt for England’s Six Nations clash with Ireland in Twickenham tomorrow. 

The Saracens man fell ill overnight and did not take part in England’s captain’s run at Twickenham this morning. It is not believed to be related to Covid-19. 

While England do still hope that Itoje will recover in time to take his place in the starting XV against Ireland tomorrow, Joe Launchbury is standing by to be promoted from the bench into the second row alongside Charlie Ewels.

The experienced Launchbury hasn’t played Test rugby since December 2020 but has worked his way back into the England mix after returning to action with Wasps in recent months. 

If Itoje is ruled out, either Leicester lock/back row Ollie Chessum or Wasps back row Alfie Barbeary are in line to be added to the English bench, although Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe could be drafted in.

It remains to be seen if Itoje features tomorrow, with England optimistic at this stage.

“Maro was a little sick overnight so we’re just giving him an opportunity to recover, but we’re really optimistic he’ll be alright,” said England scrum coach Matt Proudfoot.

“Maro’s a world-class player and his x-factor is the amount of pressure he can apply. But we have a guy who has got 69 caps in Joe Launchbury and his speciality is the physicality he brings.”

The English will definitely be without forwards coach Richard Cockerill tomorrow after he tested positive for Covid-19.

All other members of staff and England players tested negative in lateral flow tests this morning.

Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella look ahead to Twickenham and two big URC games involving three of the provinces

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