Borthwick says Lawrence comeback ‘tight’ for Edinburgh
Smith, Roebuck and Furbank will be in selection mix
England are hoping to welcome back the cavalry for next week’s Calcutta Cup with Steve Borthwick revealing Ollie Lawrence could make his comeback against Scotland at Murrayfield. The head coach said Fin Smith will be available while Tom Roebuck is also in contention to return then after the Sale winger was deemed not quite ready to face Wales on Saturday.
Lawrence’s return from a knee injury bolsters England’s options at centre. Tommy Freeman has been deployed there against Wales, just as he was in Cardiff last year and against Australia in the autumn, but Lawrence shone alongside Fraser Dingwall in England’s statement victory over the All Blacks.
Lawrence was one of five players England were planning on taking to Girona for their warm-weather training camp before it was deemed that the loosehead prop Fin Baxter requires surgery and Ben Curry would be better served continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury with Sale. “Ollie Lawrence is gradually increasing the load of where he needs to be and he’s looking good, maybe a chance next week, but it’s going to be tight,” said Borthwick.
