England suffers injury setback ahead of crunch match

TEAM UPDATE: Eddie Jones has named a 36-player England squad ahead of this coming weekend's Six Nations match against Ireland.

Jones' side will take on Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

Start scrumhalf Raffi Quirke suffered a concussion in Sale Sharks' Premiership loss to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday and is unavailable for selection.

Jonny Hill, who has been undertaking rehab on a low limb stress injury since he arrived into camp, has returned to his club Exeter Chiefs for the remainder of the tournament.

Alex Dombrandt tested positive for COVID this past Friday, March 4.

After recording a positive LFT in the morning, he immediately went into isolation and did not take part in training.

A PCR test confirmed the positive result later that day.

He is expected to rejoin the squad later next week.

Sam Underhill, Nic Dolly and Alex Mitchell return to the squad for the first time since the 2021 November Tests, where England won their three fixtures against Tonga, Australia and South Africa.

Orlando Bailey and Luke Northmore are also named in the squad.

England squad

FORWARDS: Alfie Barbeary, Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Raffi Quirke, Sam Underhill.

BACKS: Orlando Bailey, Elliot Daly, George Ford, George Furbank, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Louis Lynagh, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Jack Nowell, Luke Northmore, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Ben Youngs.