Harlequins centre Joe Marchant drafted into England squad ahead of World Cup warm-up against Wales

Harlequins centre Joe Marchant will be hoping to impress Eddie Jones this week after being drafted into the England squad ahead of Saturday’s match with Wales.

England named their 31-man World Cup squad on Monday ahead of the tournament starting next month, but injuries mean Jones needs to bring in temporary cover for this weekend’s trip to Cardiff.

Centre Henry Slade, wing Jack Nowell and back-rowers Sam Underhill and Tom Curry are all struggling for fitness for Saturday’s match and consequently Jones has brought players into camp.

Lock Charlie Ewels and flanker Matt Kvesic have been drafted in for the week, as has Harlequins centre Marchant.

The trio will all be hoping to impress during their time in camp in case they are required to come in permanently for an injured player.

In Pictures | England's Rugby World Cup squad | 12/08/2019

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Marchant’s call-up is a significant boost for the centre given that he was picked to come in ahead of Ben Te’o, who has previously been a favourite of Jones.

Te’o was left out of the squad on Monday and Marchant will be hoping he could now have edged ahead of him in the pecking order.

With three warm-up matches left until England fly to Japan, Jones is wary that injuries may occur and his squad could change.

Joe Marchant
Getty Images

“It’s the risk you take. You can put them in cotton wool, not be ready for the World Cup,” he said.

“It’s like a boxer, a boxer’s got to box, rugby player’s got to play rugby. There’s a risk involved.”

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