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ESPN staff 6y

Eddie Jones urged not to rush Sam Underhill back from concussion

Rugby

Eddie Jones has been urged not to rush Sam Underhill back into action for England by his Bath boss, Todd Blackadder.

Underhill, 21, has not played since suffering a knock to his head during England's 30-6 defeat of Australia on Nov. 18.

The flanker took part in a contact training session Wednesday and should he remain symptom-free would then be in contention for his club's Champions Cup clash with the Scarlets next Friday.

"I would just like to see him finish whatever minutes he gets, be available to fully train next week and get some more minutes," Blackadder said.

"I think we are asking a bit much of him to be talking about England. One of the goals we talked about on his return is just to complete 80 minutes symptom free. That would be a massive tick in his box.

"He did a contact session today and came through with flying colours but we still have to wait 24 hours. It is looking encouraging for next week, but we still have to wait and see."

Jones has been handed further injury boosts ahead of the Six Nations with news that Jonathan Joseph, Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola are also nearing fitness, although lock Charlie Ewels is out for four weeks.

Joseph sat out this week's England training camp in Brighton with a dead leg but is available for his side's Aviva Premiership clash with Worcester Friday night.

Itoje and Vunipola, meanwhile, showed no ill effects from their two days with England as they returned to Saracens Wednesday and could feature against Wasps this weekend.

"They took part in training [Wednesday]. We'll make a decision later in the week as to their involvement in the game," Saracens boss Mark McCall said. 

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