Leicester Tigers front-rower Fraser Balmain has been called up to the England XV squad to face the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.
The 22-year-old prop, who made 18 appearances for Tigers during the 2013/14 season, has received a call-up in place of Bath’s Nathan Catt who will instead join the England party flying out for the tour to New Zealand.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “In light of Mako Vunipola’s ongoing treatment for a knee injury ahead of the Aviva Premiership Final and Joe Marler suffering a slight hip strain, we have decided to take Nathan with us now to ensure that he is up to speed with our systems and structures in the lead-up to next week."
Balmain joins club colleagues Graham Kitchener and Jamie Gibson in the England XV squad for the Barbarians fixture (3pm).
The other props in the squad are Ross Harrison of Sale Sharks and the Harlequins pair Will Collier and Kyle Sinckler.
The 22-year-old prop, who made 18 appearances for Tigers during the 2013/14 season, has received a call-up in place of Bath’s Nathan Catt who will instead join the England party flying out for the tour to New Zealand.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “In light of Mako Vunipola’s ongoing treatment for a knee injury ahead of the Aviva Premiership Final and Joe Marler suffering a slight hip strain, we have decided to take Nathan with us now to ensure that he is up to speed with our systems and structures in the lead-up to next week."
Balmain joins club colleagues Graham Kitchener and Jamie Gibson in the England XV squad for the Barbarians fixture (3pm).
The other props in the squad are Ross Harrison of Sale Sharks and the Harlequins pair Will Collier and Kyle Sinckler.
