Three-quarters English center Henry Slade has been recalled to the group of 36 players summoned Monday by coach Steve Borthwick to prepare for the reception of Italy next Sunday during the second day of the Six Nations Tournament.
Hit in a hip in the Champions Cup, the Exeter player (29, 52 caps) was not in the group beaten Saturday by Scotland at Twickenham (29-23). London Irish winger Henry Arundell (20, 3 caps), among last year’s revelations, is also returning to the squad after also being hampered by injury.
Courtney Lawes (33, 96 caps), injured in a calf in the Champions Cup two weeks before the start of the tournament, will continue his recovery at the training center of the XV of England. It is too early to say whether Northampton’s star player, capable of playing in the second or third line, will be back in time to participate in one or more matches of the competition.
At the end of the first day of the tournament, England are in 5th place, behind Italy which was beaten (29-24) by France on Sunday in Rome.
