England dealt double injury blow ahead of crucial Fiji clash

England have suffered another double injury blow ahead of the crucial clash with Fiji to leave Steve Borthwick facing a backline selection headache.Wing Cadan Murley has joined full-back George Furbank in being ruled out of the encounter at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the Harlequin suffering a shoulder injury during the defeat to South Africa.Prop Beno Obano, who came off the bench against the Springboks, also drops out of the squad due to injury, with Northampton’s Emmanuel Iyogun taking his place.

Back five forward Chandler Cunningham-South has also been called up to Borthwick’s group. Wing Tom Roebuck came into camp on Monday as a replacement for Furbank.England are now on a five-match losing run and face a potentially defining encounter with the Pacific Islanders on Saturday afternoon as Borthwick looks to relieve some of the pressure he and his side are under.

The England head coach is thought to be mulling possible debuts for teenage wing Noah Caluori and South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who becomes available on residency this week.Freddie Steward is thought to be a doubt for the Nations Championship fixture after rolling his ankle in training in Johannesburg last week.Join our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments