Leicester centre Anthony Allen is called into the England squad
England head coach Martin Johnson has drafted Leicester centre Anthony Allen into his squad as they prepare for their Test match against Samoa on Saturday 20 November.
Allen was called up to the squad by Johnson after Dominic Waldouck picked up a facial injury during Wasps 18-16 win over Bath in the LV= Cup.
Waldouck had been released by Johnson to play in the match at Adams Park after the player failed to make the match day squad for England’s 35-18 win over Australia at Twickenham.
The injured centre is expected to be able to train with the squad, but Allen will also train with the England team in case Waldouck does not recover this week.
Waldouck’s Wasps team-mate Riki Flutey is also out of the match with an injury, and this has given Allen the chance to compete for a place in Martin Johnson’s team.
Allen has won two caps for England. He faced New Zealand and Argentina in 2006, but the player has not been involved in the squad since then.
Martin Johnson is not expected to include Allen in the match day squad, unless there are more injuries in the midfield position.
Instead, the Leicester centre is expected to train and add to the numbers in training. The 24-year-old will be delighted that he has come back into Johnson’s reckoning albeit due to injuries.
Allen will hope that if he can impress, he will be given a chance to join up with the squad for the Test against South Africa on Saturday 27 November.
The player has impressed when selected for Leicester this season and he is a solid defensive player that Johnson can rely on if necessary.
England will go into the match against Samoa in confident mood after their victory over Australia. Samoa will provide England with a tough physical challenge, but Johnson will expect to beat Samoa convincingly, before they meet the Springboks.
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