England recall Obano for Ireland clash as prop problems intensify

England were left with increasing concerns at prop after Beno Obano was summoned into their training squad on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham.

Doubts over the fitness of either Joe Marler or Ellis Genge have seen Obano recalled from club side Bath after he was dropped from an initial 33-man training squad on Wednesday.

Earlier this week experienced front-row forward Mako Vunipola was ruled out of Sunday’s match, England’s first home fixture this Six Nations, for family reasons that have seen him return to Tonga.

Jones refused to specify which one of Marler or George was doubtful for Sunday’s match.

But if either of the pair are ruled out that would leave Obano in line to make a Test debut against an Ireland side chasing a Triple Crown after wins over Scotland and Wales in the opening two rounds of this season’s Six Nations.

“Beno’s on the freight train, just in as a bit of cover,” Jones told reporters on Thursday.

“As I said we’ve got a few niggles so we just needed an extra prop in there,” added the Australian, who is set to name his team on Friday.

World Cup finalists England started the Six Nations with a loss away to France before reviving their title hopes with a 13-6 Calcutta Cup win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Meanwhile, U2 frontman Bono sought to fire up Ireland ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash with England with a pep talk to the squad on what it means to be Irish.

Ireland’s English coach Andy Farrell confessed to “being blown away” by the 59-year-old rock legend’s pep talk at the team hotel on Tuesday.

Bono, who says he is a rugby fan but prefers not to attend matches due to the noise his wife Ali makes, spoke for almost two hours -- one hour more than planned.

Three of the starting XV hail from outside Ireland -- centre Bundee Aki from New Zealand and hooker Rob Herring and No 8 CJ Stander from South Africa.

The latter, who has been named man of the match in both of Ireland’s victories over Scotland and Wales, was especially impressed.

The 29-year-old Munster star said Bono, whose hits include the 2,000 number ‘Beautiful Day’, had given a “great response” when asked what Irishness was.

“Irishness is not something you can put into words, or something you can define, it is not something you tap into, it is something that is in you’,” Stander said, recounting Bono’s words.

Agencies