Rugby Randall and Batley ruled out of England training camp

BRISTOL Bears scrum-half Harry Randall and lock Joe Batley have been forced to drop out of the England training squad which is preparing for the summer tour to Argentina and the USA, after suffering injuries in the club's 34-20 Gallagher Premiership semi-final defeat to Bath Rugby on Friday.

- John EVELY

Randall, who was named Bristol's player of the season, suffered a shoulder injury in the battle at the Recreation Ground and was forced off just before half-time. Meanwhile, in the forwards, Batley has suffered a knee injury which is being assessed, but has ruled him out of being named in the 36-man squad, which will come together this week at Pennyhill Park to prepare to face a France XV in an uncapped game on June 21 before heading away on tour.

The injuries to both men will come as huge personal blows should they be ruled out, with Batley in particular having suffered a campaign plagued by injuries, with a broken leg back in the autumn forcing him to miss the chance to run out for England A against Australia. Despite his long spells on the sidelines in 2024-25, he was still named in the Gallagher Premiership Team of the Year at last week's awards.