England: Asher Opoku-Fordjour called up to 36-player squad to face Australia

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England: Asher Opoku-Fordjour called up to 36-player squad to face Australia

England have called-up ***** Sharks prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour to the 36-player squad preparing to face Australia in the Autumn Nations Series.

The 20-year-old was a member of England’s Under-20s side which won their age grade World Cup this year.

Opoku-Fordjour replaces Joe Marler, who has announced his retirement from international rugby, while Bath lock Charlie Ewels replaces club team-mate Ted Hill.

Harlequins prop Marler, 34, called time on his England career after winning 95 caps, while head coach Steve Borthwick previously said his side needs more depth at prop.

England began their autumn schedule with a narrow 24-22 defeat by New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

They resume their campaign against the Wallabies on 9 November and lock Maro Itoje said the hosts are closing in on a statement win after a run of narrow defeats.

England have lost three consecutive Tests against the All ******* after leading in the final quarter on each occasion.

“We will get there,” said Saracens lock Itoje. “We have to lick our wounds and take our medicine at the moment, but this team is building in a positive direction.

“I have been part of a few teams and you get a sense of when a team is moving in the right direction.

“I think we are growing in the right areas of the game, we are aggressive in ******* and there is a general feel of confidence and vibe among the players.

“We have had some agonising losses, but this is a different team to what it was 18 months ago with the way we play, the endeavour we show.

“Sometimes in the past when we lost, they were clear losses and we were clutching at straws. I don’t feel we are clutching at straws now. We lost, but we’re close.”

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