Tuilagi and Farrell included in England’s squad to tour Australia despite injury
England head coach Eddie Jones admits Manu Tuilagi’s involvement in next month’s tour of Australia remains on a knife-edge despite naming the powerhouse centre in his travelling party.
Tuilagi, who has been restricted to just one Test appearance in almost two years by a combination of injury and suspension, hurt a hamstring in the Tigers’ Premiership semi-final defeat to Saracens on Saturday.
The 25-year-old is due to undergo tests on Monday to determine whether he can take his place in a 32-man squad that includes four uncapped players but not wing Chris Ashton or fly-half Danny Cipriani.
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“It’s very much in the balance whether he goes on tour or not,” Jones, who backed uncapped Worcester centre Ben Te’o to deputise, said on Sunday.
“He will be examined by Leicester’s staff. Hopefully by Monday or Tuesday we’ll know if he goes on tour or not. We’ll replace Manu if he’s not okay, so Te’o has a great chance to play.”
Bristol prop Ellis Genge, who has been on loan at Leicester, Harlequins forward Kyle Sinckler and Northampton back-row Teimana Harrison are the other three potential debutants.
Jones brushed off concerns about Saracens No10 Owen Farrell, who hurt ribs at the weekend. England host Wales next Sunday before heading Down Under for a three-Test series that starts on 11 June.
England squad for tour of Australia
Forwards:
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
Dylan Hartley – captain (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Backs:
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)