CHARLIE EWELS has been withdrawn from England’s squad for their series against New Zealand after he was given a two-match ban for the red card received in Tokyo on Saturday, it was confirmed today.
Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe will replace the Bath second-row in Steve Borthwick’s 36-man group and is due to arrive in Auckland tomorrow.
Ewels became the first England player to be sent off twice after his yellow card for a dangerous clearout in the closing stages of the 52-17 victory over Japan that opened the summer tour was upgraded to red.
The decision by the bunker review system was upheld by a disciplinary hearing today, which rejected England’s claim that while the clearout of Japan captain Michael Leitch was foul play, it did not warrant dismissal.
By issuing a two-match suspension, the hearing ended Ewels’s involvement in the two Tests against the All Blacks, starting in Dunedin on Saturday week.
Ewels was only on the pitch for four minutes as a second-half replacement when he recklessly entered a ruck from a low position, taking out Leitch by angling into his legs.
It was his first Test since his last sending-off for a dangerous tackle against Ireland at Twickenham in the 2022 Six Nations, his international career interrupted by a serious knee injury sustained that same year.
Isiekwe made his England debut when replacing Ewels against Argentina in 2017. The Saracens forward, who can cover back as well as second row, now has the opportunity to add to his 11 caps.
Eight tries were amassed against a rebuilt Japan team coached by Eddie Jones in a pleasing start to the tour that saw Harlequins duo Marcus Smith and Chandler Cunningham-South produce commanding displays.
