Scrum-Half Van Poortvliet Set to Reignite England Test Career After Injury Setback
Jack Van Poortvliet, the 23-year-old Leicester Tigers scrum-half, has been recalled to the England national team after recovering from a serious ankle injury that forced him to miss last year’s Rugby World Cup.
The talented young No. 9 had established himself as England’s pre-eminent option in the position prior to sustaining major ligament damage during a warm-up match against Wales at Twickenham in August 2023. In his absence, Alex Mitchell of Northampton seized the opportunity, becoming the undisputed starter at the World Cup, with veteran Danny Care as his understudy.
“The return of Van Poortvliet is set to be a major boost for England as they look to build on their World Cup campaign.”
Now, with Care retiring from international rugby after earning 100 caps, Van Poortvliet is poised to reclaim his spot in the England setup. The scrum-half made a successful comeback for Leicester in late March and has since regained his impressive form, highlighted by a “ripper” of a solo try against Exeter in the final Premiership fixture.
England’s Training Squad
England head coach Steve Borthwick has included Van Poortvliet in a provisional 19-man training squad that will convene in Surrey to begin preparations for the upcoming summer tour of Japan and New Zealand. Additional players from Premiership playoff clubs are expected to join the squad in due course.
While the tour will provide valuable experience for young talents like Exeter’s Greg Fisilau, Rusi Tuima, and Newcastle’s Guy Pepper, as well as Gloucester’s Charlie Atkinson, the return of Van Poortvliet is set to be a major boost for England as they look to build on their World Cup campaign.
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