Sam Underhill: Bath flanker withdraws from England’s Six Nations squad

Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date: Saturday, 6 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Scotland; live text on the BBC Sport website and app; watch highlights online after the game.

Bath flanker Sam Underhill has withdrawn from England’s Six Nations squad because of a hip injury.

Underhill, 24, is expected to miss the whole championship, although his exact recovery time has yet to be determined.

England are already without Mako Vunipola and Joe Launchbury, while prop Joe Marler is unavailable for personal reasons and Kyle Sinckler is suspended for the opener against Scotland.

Willis, who made his debut last autumn, has been promoted from England’s shadow squad and will compete with Ben Earl and Mark Wilson for the back-row spot created by Underhill’s absence.

Exeter loose-head prop Alec Hepburn, Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam and their lock David Ribbans have all been added to the shadow squad.

The Calcutta Cup match against Scotland is at Twickenham on Saturday, 6 February (16:45 GMT).

England’s Six Nations squad

Backs: Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Jonny May, Paolo Odogwu, Harry Randall, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Tom West, Beno Obano, Will Stuart, Billy Vunipola, Harry Williams, Jack Willis, Mark Wilson.

Shadow squad

Charlie Atkinson, Ali Crossdale, Tom Dunn, George Furbank, Alex Hepburn, Joe Heyes, Jonathan Joseph, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marchant, George Martin, Alex Mitchell, David Ribbans, Jacob Umaga