- Eddie Jones ‘cautiously optimistic’ Smith can play some part
- RFU denies claims Harry Randall was injured on paddleboard
Eddie Jones has mounting injury headaches before England’s opening autumn international against Tonga on Saturday with Marcus Smith a doubt to face the Pacific Islanders, potentially disrupting the head coach’s plans to unleash a new-look 10-12 axis.
Compounding matters for Jones is a report that the scrum-half Harry Randall, who has been ruled out of the entire autumn series, was injured during a paddleboarding session as part of a team-bonding exercise in Jersey last week. In addition, Max Malins, Louis Lynagh and Raffi Quirke will all miss the match at Twickenham with injuries sustained before coming into camp.
Written by Gerard Meagher
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/02/marcus-smith-an-injury-doubt-for-england-against-tonga under the title “Marcus Smith a doubt for England while Randall injury raises questions for Jones”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
