England with Marcus Smith but without George Ford or Courtney Lawes against France
Markus Smith. MATTHEW CHILDS / REUTERS
This Tuesday, the English coach Steve Borthwick unveiled the list of players present in the group to prepare for the reception of the France team this Saturday (5:45 p.m.).
Steve Borthwick therefore preferred Marcus Smith to George Ford. Left available to his club last weekend, the Harlequins opener is present in the group of 27 English players selected to face the XV of France. It was one of the questions on the list of the English coach who therefore chose him at the expense of George Ford.
If the rest of the group does not include major surprises, the absence of Courtney Lawes is noteworthy. The 34-year-old third line is injured in the shoulder and he will be unavailable for the Crunch this weekend, unlike Manu Tuilagi, however suspended for this meeting.
Vice-captain Courtney Lawes has been going through a tough time since the last of his 96 caps in Australia last July, with concussions, neck, buttock and calf injuries limiting him to just four games this season for his club Northampton . Which revealed that the player will undergo surgery.
“After consultation between the club’s medical staff and a specialist, Courtney Lawes will undergo surgery for the pectoral injury he suffered while training with the England squad last week“, indeed announced Northampton in a press release.
