HOOKER Joe Taufete’e has become the fifth Warriors player to be called up for autumn internationals duty.
Taufete’e has been included in a 27-strong United States Eagles squad for four internationals next month.
The Eagles will play the New Zealand Maori All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 3 and then fly to Europe to play Samoa in San Sebastian on November 10, Romania in Bucharest on November 17 and Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on November 24.
Taufete’e made his international debut against South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and started in their 30-29 victory over Scotland in Houston in June.
He is one of ten England-based players in a squad coached by former Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold.
Taufete’e, who has won 16 caps, follows his Warriors team-mates Ben Te’o, Ted Hill and Nick Schonert (England) and Josh Adams (Wales) in being named in autumn internationals squads this week.
Tighthead prop Schonert and blindside flanker Hill are among eight uncapped players in the squad who will fly to Portugal for a training camp today (Wednesday).
Schonert has featured in England squads before and played in the non-cap match against the Barbarians at the end of last season. Hill’s inclusion in the squad as an apprentice player comes after a string of impressive performances for Warriors this season.
Te’o returns to the England squad having recovered from the quadriceps injury which ruled him out of the summer tour to South Africa. The British and Irish Lions international won the last of his 13 England caps against Ireland in last season’s Six Nations at Twickenham.
England head coach Eddie Jones said: “I’m really happy with the squad. We can only control what we can control and injuries have happened. It gives an opportunity for some good new players to play some important Tests for England, while players who have been in the squad before will have to take on more responsibility.”
England will play South Africa on November 3, New Zealand on November 10, Japan on November 17 and Australia on November 24 at Twickenham.
A 23-man squad will be confirmed on Tuesday ahead of the Test against the Springboks.