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Good news for England’s Six Nations campaign: Ollie Chessum is set to make his first appearance since October in Leicester’s Champions Cup game against Toulouse.
The giant forward missed the entire autumn campaign after suffering a knee injury during the team’s training camp in Girona.
Chessum’s No 6 jersey was filled by Chandler Cunningham-South but the Tiger’s timely return means he should be ready to go straight back into England’s starting team against Ireland.
England fly out to their warm-weather training camp in Spain next week, before the team head straight to Dublin for their Six Nations opener. However, as was the case with Henry Slade before the autumn Tests, Chessum may well be given a special exemption to return to Leicester next weekend to build up his game time in the Premiership.
He is likely to feature on the bench for his club’s Champions Cup tie on Sunday, with club coach Michael Cheika making efforts to persuade Borthwick to release him next week.
Leicester are also expecting George Martin back from injury, with both forwards timing their comebacks perfectly for international duty. Their return will be key for the make-up of Borthwick’s pack, with the gritty Leicester duo likely to be first-choice starters in the 5 and 6 jerseys.
England have been handed a boost ahead of the Six Nations with Ollie Chessum set to make his first Leicester appearance since October
George Martin is also anticipated to return from injury in a possible boon to Steve Borthwick
The RFU will have to temporarily abandon Twickenham’s naming rights deal with Allianz for this summer’s World Cup.
A multi-million-pound deal has been struck for the stadium to be referred to as the Allianz Stadium.
However, the deal is expected clash with World Rugby’s tournament sponsorship regulations, meaning the branding will have to be removed.
Twickenham will have to drop Allianz from its name during the summer World Cup due to a sponsorship regulations clash
Ireland are set to land another England-eligible player, with Dan Kelly on the verge of signing for Munster.
Kelly, the Leicester centre, was named in Steve Borthwick’s first ever England squad but did not play because of injury.
He represented Ireland Under 20 as a junior and, following in the footsteps of Billy Burns and Will Addison, the move across the channel will put him in the mix for a Ireland call-up.
Dan Kelly will be in the mix for an Ireland call-up if he signs for Munster from Leicester
Belinda Moore, the new Head of Women’s Rugby for the Welsh Rugby Union, happens to be the wife of former England hooker Brian Moore.
Her husband, a prominent commentator, previously suggested that England’s women’s should train against the men’s Under 20 team.
She is not expected to be taking up his idea in the new role, with focus on appointing a new head coach. Gloucester-Hartpury Head Coach, Sean Lynn, is among the front-runners.
Owen Farrell is hoping to make his first appearance at La Defense Arena in Racing 92’s game against the Stormers this weekend.
The former England skipper is yet to play at the iconic stadium in the heart of Paris, which has been out of use since it was temporarily converted into a swimming pool for the Olympic games. Farrell has been sidelined since November with a groin injury and he is hoping to pass a fitness test to return this weekend.
Owen Farrell is hoping to make his first appearance at La Defense Arena for Racing 92 this weekend