Chris Pennell covers concussed Mike Brown ahead of England's Six Nations clash against Ireland
Tuesday 24 February 2015 19:40, UK
Worcester full-back Chris Pennell has been called up to England’s Six Nations squad as cover for Mike Brown, who continues to recover from concussion.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster said on Monday that Brown was a major doubt for Sunday’s clash against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium after being knocked unconscious during the win over Italy earlier this month.
The RFU has confirmed the Harlequins back is still going through the graduated return to play concussion protocol, having completed stage one, but there could still be a reaction.
Pennell, 27, made his England debut last year when coming off the bench during the defeat to New Zealand in Auckland in June.
Lancaster said: "Chris did well on the tour and with Mike still in the early stages of the graduated return to play protocol we wanted another full-back to train along with Alex Goode.
“Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling and Tom Wood are all expected to train tomorrow as well and we'll have some selection decisions to make over the next 24 hours before we release some players back to their clubs on Tuesday.”
Bath hooker Rob Webber will also join the squad to cover Tom Youngs, whose training will be limited following Leicester’s Premiership game against London Irish on Sunday.
Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi will also be in the camp to continue his recovery from injury.
England squad: (Forwards) Dave Attwood, Kieran Brookes, Calum Clark, Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft, Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Rob Webber, Tom Wood, Tom Youngs (Backs) Brad Barritt, Luther Burrell, Danny Care, Danny Cipriani, Kyle Eastmond, George Ford, Alex Goode, Mike Brown, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Chris Pennell, Manu Tuilagi, Billy Twelvetrees, Anthony Watson, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs
