Sam Simmonds doubtful for England's clash against Scotland

Sam Simmonds is a doubtful starter for England's upcoming Six Nations clash against Scotland after he was left out of the training squad.

Simmonds sustained a shoulder injury and was replaced at half-time during England's last weekend encounter against Wales and has returned to his club Exeter Chiefs for rehabilitation.

The 23-year-old, who scored a double in England's opening game against Italy was not named in the 32-man training squad that will feature in a camp in London and according to reports he is unlikely to head to BT Murrayfield Stadium for the Round 3 encounter against Gregor Townsend's men.

Nathan Hughes, who made a successful comeback from a knee injury for Wasps is likely to take the place of Simmonds while England Under-20 star Sam Moore, who is named as an apprentice player is also an option.

With Joe Marler available after completion of his six-week ban, prop Alec Hepburn has been released back to Exeter while George Kruis misses out following Charlie Ewels’ recovery from a hamstring injury. England will also have the services of Joe Marler, who also served a four-week suspension.

Harlequins wing Gabriel Ibitoye makes his first appearance in a senior England squad following his inclusion as an apprentice player.

England training squad:
Backs

Back three: M Brown (Harlequins), G Ibitoye (Harlequins) *, H Mallinder (Northampton Saints), J May (Leicester Tigers), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), D Solomona (Sale Sharks), A Watson (Bath Rugby)

Inside backs: D Care (Harlequins), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), M Smith (Harlequins) *, B Te’o (Worcester Warriors), R Wigglesworth (Saracens).

Forwards

Back five: C Ewels (Bath Rugby), J Haskell (Wasps), N Hughes (Wasps), N Isiekwe (Saracens), M Itoje (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), J Launchbury (Wasps), Z Mercer (Bath Rugby), S Moore (Sale Sharks) *, C Robshaw (Harlequins), S Underhill (Bath Rugby).

Front row: D Cole (Leicester Tigers), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), J George (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), J Marler (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), H Williams (Exeter Chiefs)

* denote apprentice players

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