Opportunity is knocking for former Otley player Luther Burrell.
The Northampton Saint is one of three uncapped centres named in England coach Stuart Lancaster’s squad for next month’s internationals against Australia, Argentina and world champions New Zealand.
England have also called up Henry Trinder (Gloucester) and former Wigan rugby league star Joel Tomkins (Saracens).
Burrell’s inclusion is as injury cover and increases the size of the squad to 34, which also includes Exeter flanker Tom Johnson.
Lancaster has made the changes after flanker Tom Croft and centres Manu Tuilagi and Brad Barritt were ruled out of the series through injury.
“Inevitably there have been some injuries and there is still a big European weekend ahead,” Lancaster said.
“But injures always create opportunities and we are pleased to call up Tom Johnson, Joel Tomkins, Henry Trinder and Luther Burrell into the senior elite performance squad.
“Luther is joining us as injury cover and it will be great for him to come in and put a marker down in what is going to be a competitive selection leading into the Australia game.
“We have three major Tests ahead of us and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Burrell, 25, started his rugby life at Huddersfield Giants before joining Huddersfield Rugby Union Club.
He played for Otley from 2007-09 while on loan from Leeds Carnegie before having a season at Sale and joining Northampton two summers ago.
Burrell went on England’s tour of Argentina last summer.
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