Bath winger Ruaridh McConnochie will not make his England debut against Wales on Saturday due to muscle soreness.
McConnochie, 27, had his fitness assessed on Friday but withdrew from the squad on Saturday, the team confirmed. McConnochie was replaced in the starting line up by Bath teammate Anthony Watson.
TEAM UPDATE | Ruaridh McConnochie has been withdrawn from the squad today due to a minor muscle strain and will be replaced on the right wing by Anthony Watson.
Full preview of Wales v England: https://t.co/qgD1FdmMOK pic.twitter.com/grTlDtn5IB
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 17, 2019
McConnochie had been due to make his international debut this weekend following his surprise inclusion in head coach Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad.
The winger was also due to make his England debut last Sunday in his side’s 33-19 win over Wales at Twickenham, but was forced to withdraw from the team with an injury.
“He’s just a bit sore,” Jones said in a news conference on Friday. “It is not the same injury as last week. We’re confident he might recover.”
McConnochie was an unexpected inclusion in England’s World Cup squad, having only played one season of XVs rugby with the winger having previously played rugby sevens.