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England turn to experienced Easter

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Nick Easter has been called into the England’s Rugby World Cup squad after fellow No.8 Billy Vunipola was forced to withdraw injured.

Nick Easter has been called into the England’s Rugby World Cup squad after fellow No.8 Billy Vunipola was forced to withdraw injured.

Vunipola suffered a knee ligament strain during Saturday’s 28-25 defeat to Wales at Twickenham and a scan revealed he won’t recover before the end of the tournament.

Easter, who featured four times in the 2015 RBS 6 Nations, takes his place in the squad for his third Rugby World Cup and the 37-year-old could find himself lining up from the start against Australia on Saturday, with questions still hanging over Ben Morgan’s fitness.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It’s unfortunate for Billy but the scan shows an injury which will likely require six weeks’ recovery.

“He has worked really hard and committed everything to the last three months but he is a young man with a bright future ahead of him and he will be an integral part of this team for years to come.

“Nick was unlucky to miss out on final selection. He is a specialist No.8 and an experienced player and we know he will make a big contribution.”