Johnson and Ward get Churchill call

Newcastle prop Micky Ward and Leicester Tigers loose forward Will Johnson have both been called into Englands Churchill Cup squad following injuries to Northampton Saints' Robbie Morris (hamstring) and Bath flanker Andy Beattie (groin).

It is a huge setback for Beattie, who was an instrumental player in Bath's road to the Xurich Premieship Final, and he was a certainty to start for England during the tournament in Canada.

Johnson, who is at home at either No.6 or at the back of the scrum, got the call after the Tigers comprehensive 48-27 victory against Sale Sharks in the Wild Card Final on the weekend.

"I got the call on Sunday night to say that Andy was out," said Johnson to the Tigers website.

"I was due to go to Italy on holiday on Tuesday, but after a few phone calls the next day, that was all taken care of.

"You can never say no to playing for your country and it's a great step up for me."

Morris, meanwhile, injured his hamstring during England's disappointing loss to the Barbarians at Twickenham last weekend - but his misfortune has opened the door for 25-year-old Ward.

The 27-man England squad will depart for Calgary on Thursday with their Churchill Cup campaign beginning against Canada on June 13.

Victory will land England a place in the Edmonton Final six days later, where they would face either the USA Eagles or New Zealand Maoris, with the latter making their first appearance in the tournament.