England's preparations for their summer tour to Japan have been dealt a crushing blow as head coach Steve Borthwick faces an escalating injury crisis that has already claimed two key players.
In a devastating turn of events for the national squad, both Harlequins' powerhouse forward Joe Marler and Exeter Chiefs' dynamic centre Ollie Devoto have been ruled out of the entire tour due to significant injuries sustained during the recent Premiership final. The situation has left Borthwick with a mounting selection headache before the team has even departed.
Tournament Over Before It Began
Marler, the experienced prop who has been a cornerstone of England's scrum, suffered a fractured arm during Harlequins' dramatic final match against Bath. The injury requires immediate medical attention and a substantial recovery period, automatically excluding him from contention.
Equally concerning is the situation with Devoto, who sustained a serious shoulder injury that will necessitate surgery. The Exeter centre's absence removes a creative option from Borthwick's midfield plans, further limiting his strategic choices for the two-Test series against the Brave Blossoms.
Third Player in Doubt
Compounding Borthwick's selection nightmare, Bath's back-rower Ted Hill is also considered a major doubt for the tour. While not yet officially ruled out, Hill's participation remains uncertain, leaving England's coaching staff scrambling to assess their options.
The timing of these injuries couldn't be worse for Borthwick, who was looking to use the Japan tour as an opportunity to build depth and experiment with combinations ahead of the next international season. Instead, he now faces the prospect of calling up reinforcements before the squad's departure.
Looking Ahead
England are scheduled to play two Tests against Japan on June 22nd in Tokyo and June 29th in Osaka. These matches represent crucial preparation ahead of the autumn internationals and the next Six Nations campaign.
The injury crisis raises serious questions about player workload and the physical toll of the extended club season, particularly following World Cup years. With several other nations also reporting tour withdrawals, World Rugby may face increased pressure to address the congested international calendar.
Borthwick and his coaching team must now quickly adapt their plans and identify suitable replacements capable of stepping into the void left by these significant absences.
