England skills coach Ed Robinson confirms Henry Slade is a doubt for Saturday's Test vs Ireland, with Harlequins' Joe Marchant called up; "Joe is a fantastic player because of the way he works on and off the ball. His skill set on the ball and the way he supports are both excellent."
Tuesday 16 March 2021 22:40, UK
Henry Slade is a doubt for the climax to England's Six Nations campaign against Ireland on Saturday because of a calf injury, coach Ed Robinson has confirmed.
Slade sustained the lower leg injury in training on Monday and a decision on his availability for the round-five clash at the Aviva Stadium is expected on Tuesday.
The strides taken by England in attack during the last two games have brought out the best in the Exeter Chiefs man, who has forged an improving centre partnership with Owen Farrell.
England have called Harlequins back Joe Marchant into camp as cover for Slade, but if he fails to recover in time then Ollie Lawrence or Paolo Odogwu are most likely to benefit by filling the vacancy in midfield.
"The way Henry works off the ball is second to none. The way he puts himself in a position to attack and defend is brilliant," said England skills coach Robinson.
"The way he sprints to chase kicks is phenomenal and that is a massive part of his game. He's a big driver in that for us.
"Joe is a fantastic player because of the way he works on and off the ball. His skill set on the ball and the way he supports are both excellent."
After disappointing defeats to Scotland at home and Wales away in the championship, England responded in strong fashion on Saturday courtesy of a 23-20 victory over France at Twickenham in Round 4.
A Maro Itoje try with just three minutes remaining denied France a first Twickenham victory for 14 years, and also ended Les Bleus' Grand Slam dreams.
Eddie Jones' team complete their 2021 campaign with a trip to Dublin on Saturday, with Ireland having experienced a mixed campaign also.
Andy Farrell's side have suffered defeats away to Wales and at home to France, but have since beaten Italy in Dublin and Scotland at Murrayfield.
"There's a good feeling in camp because we feel like we performed well, but we also feel like we're nowhere near our best. So there's a real hunger and drive to get better every day to perform to our best," Robinson added.
"We got really good go-forward with the forwards against France and we'd just like to be able to go and finish a few more of the opportunities off.
"We know Ireland will be well prepared for the game. And we know that they'll be physical because it's a massive game."
On Monday, Ireland announced pair James Ryan and Garry Ringrose have been ruled out of Saturday's Test due to concussion and an ankle injury respectively.
With the summer's British and Irish Lions series vs South Africa on the horizon, players from both England and Ireland will be going all out to impress at the Aviva Stadium.
Jonny May admits England would be "devastated" if they fail to follow up their enthralling victory over France with a win against Ireland on Saturday.
Eddie Jones' side head to Dublin fresh from their resilient victory against the French at Twickenham.
But May is aware that all of the positivity generated from that win will count for little if England are unable to back it up with the right performance against Ireland.
"We got it all together for the France game - we got a performance and the win. It feels good because you want to fire some shots," May said.
"But I'm very much still aware that there's still one more game to go. If we don't back it up then I'm going to be devastated and so are the boys.
"It was a moment of relief against France because all of us have worked hard and we felt the pressure we put on ourselves internally and all the pressure that has come on to us from outside and wanting to make people proud and happy.
"That's why it was an important win for us, but that's also why it is important for us to back it up.
"We have been going through a tricky spell, but belief never goes - certainly not for me because I know how good this team is. But you certainly feel the pressure.
"Progress is never a straight line, that's a fact. We hit a bump in the road but I am proud of how the boys have responded and got hold of it. But we still need to push forward this weekend."
