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England tour of New Zealand: Aviva Premiership final match-winner Alex Waller among final squad additions as prop replaces injured Mako Vunipola

Vunipola has been ruled out after dislocating his knee-cap with Waller capping a weekend that saw him score the extra-time winning try for Northampton Saints against Saracens

Duncan Bech
Monday 02 June 2014 13:17 BST
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Dylan Hartley embraces Alex Waller after the latter scored the match winning try in the Premiership final
Dylan Hartley embraces Alex Waller after the latter scored the match winning try in the Premiership final (Getty Images)

England have included Northampton hero Alex Waller among the reinforcements summoned to New Zealand from Saturday's Aviva Premiership finalists.

Waller replaces knee-injury victim Mako Vunipola as reward for scoring the try in the final minute of extra-time that secured a 24-20 victory over Saracens at Twickenham.

The 24-year-old is among 16 players who will depart for New Zealand on Monday night in time to compete for selection for the second and third Tests against the All Blacks.

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell and number eight Billy Vunipola are present after suffering cramp in the final, as is Saints hooker Dylan Hartley who completed his comeback from a shoulder injury at Twickenham.

Further additions have been drawn from Bath and Harlequins with Anthony Watson and Kyle Sinckler also on board the flight bound for New Zealand.

"We are looking forward to the guys flying in and adding to the group," England head coach Stuart Lancaster said.

"We watched the Premiership final and the England XV game against the Barbarians and are pleased with how the players performed and came through.

"There are no major injuries which would prevent anyone flying and, with four big games to come, we are confident there will be opportunities for everyone on the tour.

"It is great to be able to work with a wider group and we feel that the younger players will really benefit from the experience of coming to New Zealand, understanding the culture and challenging themselves in this the most competitive of environments."

England squad additions: C Ashton (Saracens), B Barritt (Saracens), L Burrell (Northampton Saints), L Dickson (Northampton Saints), O Farrell (Saracens), B Foden (Northampton Saints), A Goode (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), S Myler (Northampton Saints), K Sinckler (Harlequins), B Vunipola (Saracens), A Waller (Northampton Saints), A Watson (Bath Rugby), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton Saints).

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