Ewels called up as cover as Itoje limps out of training

England have called up Charlie Ewels to their squad to face Italy as injury cover for Maro Itoje.

Second row Itoje missed the win over France and the defeat to Wales in Cardiff that ended England’s Six Nations Grand Slam hopes with a knee injury sustained in the tournament opener against Ireland on February 2.

He was considered in the running to take on the Azzurri on Saturday but limped out of training on Tuesday after hurting the same knee.

Ewels has 10 caps to his name, his last coming in November against Australia.

Gloucester’s Ollie Thorley has also been named in the squad as injury cover for Jack Nowell, who suffered a shoulder stinger against Wales.

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