No 8 makes himself unavailable for selection in training squadZach Mercer and Danny Care named among 28-strong camp
England will not be able to select Sam Simmonds for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup after the Montpellier-bound No 8 declared himself unavailable for the tournament. The former Exeter forward has told head coach Steve Borthwick that he does not wish to be considered, boosting the likelihood of Zach Mercer featuring in England’s eventual squad.
Mercer, who has signed for Gloucester having been the Top 14’s player of the year last season is among 28 players who have gathered this week for the first of several preparatory World Cup training camps. The squad does not include players from Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks or Saracens but does feature some interesting names, including the recalled Danny Care and Jonny May and the Gloucester loose-head prop Val Rapava-Ruskin.
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