Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade have offered England injury boosts as they are set to join a three-day training camp for rehabilitation ahead of their Guinness Six Nations Round 3 clash with Ireland.
The two centres were central figures in Eddie Jones’ 2019 Championship side but have made limited impact so far this year.
Tuilagi limped off after just 16 minutes as England were beaten by France in Paris in Round 1 while Slade fractured his ankle playing for Exeter Chiefs against Leicester Tigers in December and is yet to play in this year’s Championship.
The duo were not named in Jones’ 25-man training squad for the training camp in Kensington, central London ahead of England’s first home game of the Championship on February 23.
However, their inclusion in the wider camp suggests they may have an outside chance of featuring against Andy Farrell’s men.
Lock Courtney Lawes, though, has been rested while winger Anthony Watson remains absent with the calf injury that has seen him miss both games so far.
Jones and his squad are looking to secure their first Championship victory at Twickenham over Ireland since their all-conquering 2016 Grand Slam year.
And the fixture will take on an additional layer of intrigue with father taking on son, as Owen Farrell leads his team against his dad – Ireland head coach Andy.
