England’s preparations for Japan have been reshaped by injuries, with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Curry unavailable for the remainder of their November Nations Championship programme. The updates reported on Monday, 9 November, follow England’s 45–22 victory over Australia the previous day.

Different absences, different timelines

Feyi-Waboso sustained an ankle injury against Australia and did not return after halftime. Tom Curry’s absence follows a hip problem aggravated in training last week; he did not play in that victory.

Seb Atkinson, Ollie Chessum and George Furbank are also set to miss Japan, with hip, shoulder and groin injuries respectively. Sky Sports reports that England hope those three can return against New Zealand on 21 November. That remains a recovery aim rather than confirmation of their availability.

Hicks steps into the training group

Newcastle Red Bulls confirmed Max Hicks’s call-up on Monday. The 27-year-old forward made his England A debut in Friday’s 59–24 win over an Argentina XV in Bath, appearing from the bench.

A summer signing from Perpignan, Hicks has made seven appearances for Newcastle. Born in Auckland and previously a Māori All Blacks representative, he qualifies for England through his Cornish mother, according to his club.

The 36-player group has assembled at Pennyhill Park, with 20 forwards and 16 backs. Hicks and Jack Kenningham provide additional back-row options, while Archie McParland has returned after a calf injury.

Japan fixture comes first

England host Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, 14 November, with kick-off scheduled for 16:40 UK time. The immediate task is to prepare for that match with the available group. Inclusion in this training squad does not establish who will start or make the matchday bench.

Sources: Newcastle Red Bulls official squad announcement, 9 November; AFP injury report; Sky Sports; training squad and Japan fixture.

Archive photograph, not from the current camp or Australia match: England players at Italy v England, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, 3 February 2024. Photo: Stefano Delfrate, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized for display; original proportions preserved.

Source: www.newcastleredbulls.com