England have called up lock Nick Isiekwe for their two-test tour of New Zealand to replace the suspended Charlie Ewels, who has been handed a two-match ban following his red card in the 52-17 victory over Japan on Saturday.
Ewels was sent off for a dangerous clear-out at the ruck on Japan captain Michael Leitch. He is the first player to be sent off in consecutive tests and the first England player to receive two red cards, with World Rugby confirming his ban on Sunday.
The 28-year-old is fortunate to only collect a two-match ban having also been sent off after 83 seconds in his last international against Ireland in March 2022. He will miss both tests against the All Blacks on July 6 and 13.
Isiekwe, 26, won the first of his 11 caps in 2017 and was named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for the 2024 Six Nations but left the camp due to illness before the first game.
“He is fully fit and ready to go,” Borthwick was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “He’s a guy who’s been around the England squad for a time and he obviously knows many of the players.
“He’s desperate for an opportunity and was gutted not to be in the original squad.”