England Rugby Union Squad Reinforced With Saracens Lock Isiekwe Ahead of All Blacks Series
Published on June 27, 2024 by BBC Sport
In a crucial move, the England national rugby union team has called up Saracens second-row Nick Isiekwe as a replacement for the suspended Charlie Ewels. The 26-year-old Isiekwe will join the squad in Auckland on June 25, ahead of the opening fixture against the All Blacks on July 6 in Dunedin.
Isiekwe, who made his England debut under former head coach Eddie Jones in 2017, is no stranger to the national team setup. He will provide valuable depth in the lock position, joining Alex Coles, Maro Itoje, and George Martin as England’s second-row options.
The change in the squad comes after Ewels received a two-match ban following his red card in England’s 52-17 win over Japan. The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Shao-ing Wang of Singapore and comprising ex-internationals David Croft and John Langford of Australia, determined that the red card was warranted and handed down a low-end entry point sanction of two matches.
England will now be without the services of Ewels for the upcoming two-Test series against the formidable All Blacks. The first match is scheduled for July 6 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, with the second taking place at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland on July 13.
The Red Rose will be aiming to bounce back from the Ewels suspension and deliver a strong performance against the reigning Rugby World Cup champions. Under the guidance of head coach Steve Borthwick, England will be eager to shock the All Blacks on their home turf and make a statement ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
As the rugby union world eagerly awaits the highly anticipated clash between England and New Zealand, the addition of Isiekwe to the squad provides a timely boost for the visitors as they look to overcome the loss of Ewels and mount a serious challenge against the formidable All Blacks.
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