Still no joy for Danny Care or Dan Robson.
One week out from the World Cup final, Eddie Jones has summoned a player, from England, who only made his Test debut at the age of 26 and who has zero international starts to his name.
Veteran Gloucester scrum-half Will Heinz pulled his hamstring in his sub appearance against New Zealand, in England’s 19-7 semi final win. Jones and England were not hanging about and Spencer was next taxi off the rank.
The 27-year-old was supposed to be playing a Gallagher’s Premiership game for Saracens today but, instead, he is now jetting out to Japan to join up with the England squad.
Ben Spencer will join the England squad as an injury replacement for Willi Heinz.
Ben's first club was @ManchesterRugby.
Find your local rugby club at https://t.co/zkD6yeGa7s 🌹 pic.twitter.com/dpMmrlo4Vx
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 27, 2019
Spencer has been with Saracens since 2011, having joined them from Cambridge, and many of his 82 club appearances have come as a sub. He did feature off the bench for Sarries in their Champions Cup final victory over Leinster, back in May.
The Stockport native has made three Test appearances for England, all coming as a replacement. He appeared twice on England’s 2018 tour to South Africa and his last appearance was in the 38-38 draw against Scotland, back in March, in the Guinness Six Nations.
The 27-year-old was included in England’s extended World Cup training squad, in the summer, and had edged ahead of Robson (Wasps) and Care (Harlequins) but Jones opted to just bring two scrum-halves to Japan.
There was talk, before England set off on their World Cup campaign, that George Ford could cover scrumhalf if needed but England have wisely opted to get a fresh replacement over.
Ben Youngs is likely to start in the No.9 jersey but Spencer may yet have a big role to play in next weekend’s final. It would certainly make some story should he play a crucial role in England winning their second Webb Ellis trophy.
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