England have called up rising star Asher Opoku-Fordjour to replace Joe Marler in Steve Borthwick’s squad after the prop confirmed his retirement from international rugby.
Marler called time on his Test career after winning 95 England caps days after leaving camp for personal reasons ahead of the defeat to the All Blacks at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
He has been replaced in a 36-man squad to prepare for the meeting with Australia by a young gun in Opoku-Fordjour who has made huge strides over the last two years.
The Sale Sharks front row was a key part of England’s triumph at the Under-20s World Championship in South Africa this summer, and was praised by Marler after the pair locked horns in the Premiership last season.
Intriguingly, Opoku-Fordjour can play on both sides of the scrum – while most of his club rugby has come at tighthead, he has been seen by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as a loosehead. The prop told The Independent in May that he prefers tighthead.
“I know I’m still early in my career but I want to do it all,” Opoku-Fordjour stressed. “I want to play for the British & Irish Lions and I want to play for England. That’s what every kid wants to do and it’s the same for me.
“But I’m just going to have to keep pushing myself and see where I can get to. I need to put on weight and hopefully I can get stronger and fitter. I definitely need to do that to reach the peak. I don’t really know what my ceiling is.”
Lock Charlie Ewels also returns to Borthwick’s group in the place of Bath teammate Ted Hill. England face Australia at Allianz Stadium on Saturday before taking on South Africa and Japan at the venue later in November.
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