Northampton centre Luther Burrell has been called into England’s squad for the three-Test series in Australia next month after Manu Tuilagi withdrew with a hamstring injury last week.
Burrell, who has 14 caps, scored a try and impressed in England’s 27-13 victory over Wales at Twickenham on Sunday, his first international match since August 2015.
England coach Eddie Jones had initially overlooked Burrell in his original plans for the tour, only adding to the 28-year-old centre’s misery after the once regular starter was left out of the World Cup squad by predecessor Stuart Lancaster.
“It’s a great opportunity for Luther, who I thought played really well on Sunday,” Jones told the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) website on Monday.
“We want players who are desperate to play for their country and are willing to make the sacrifices needed to succeed at the highest level. Luther’s worked hard at his game since January and we’ve seen a significant improvement.”
Burrell edged out Bath’s Ollie Devoto, 22, who will be part of the England Saxons tour of South Africa next month, for a place in the squad.
“It was a tough selection call. Ollie Devoto has really impressed during his recent time in the England camp. We wish him a successful tour to South Africa with the Saxons,” Jones said.
Meanwhile Jones has leapt to the defence of George Ford, despite the fly-half failing to convert six of his seven shots at goal during England’s 27-13 victory over Wales at Twickenham on Sunday.
England scored five tries on their way to an ideal send off for their tour of Australia but it was a day to forget for Ford, who missed two penalties and four conversion attempts.
However, Jones, who started Ford, 23, in all five matches in England’s grand slam-winning campaign, described the fly-half’s performance as “exceptional” and expressed disappointment at the reaction of the crowd, who cheered the player’s substitution.
“It’s quite amazing and just shows the negative reaction in English rugby. I find it quite sad, to be honest,” Jones told British media.
“I have seen Tiger Woods miss putts, I have seen Michael Jordan miss jump shots, everyone has a bad day and he had a bad day kicking but I thought the rest of his play was brilliant.”
Ford, whose father Mike, left his position as head coach of Bath earlier this month, also received support from England captain Dylan Hartley.
“Obviously he didn’t have the greatest day off the tee but we all have those days,” the hooker said. “I have bad throwing days but it doesn’t make you a bad player.”
Ford faces stiff competition for the starting fly-half role from Owen Farrell, who was unavailable against Wales due to club commitments, for the three-Test series in Australia which begins in Brisbane on June 11.
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