Scrum-half Danny Care has been omitted from England’s training squad for the Autumn Nations Series in November.
Ben Youngs returns to the squad after missing out on the tour to Australia in July and is joined by Jack van Poortvliet and Alex Mitchell as the scrum-halves named in the squad.
Tuilagi return
Manu Tuilagi returns from injury to make a welcomed return to the squad in place of Joe Marchant, who struggled for form in Australia. Number eight Sam Simmonds also returns from injury to be named in the squad, with Tom Pearson and David Ribbans rounding up the remaining returnees.
Northampton Saints’ Alex Coles and Saracens’ Hugh Tizard are called up to the squad for the first time, with the duo previously representing England at U20 level.
Coach Eddie Jones is still without George Ford, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill and Anthony Watson, who are all unavailable due to injury.
Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler were not named in the group but will participate in a three-day training camp at Richmond beginning on Sunday, October 2.
Four November Tests
England will face the ever-improving Los Pumas in their first of four Tests at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, November 6, before hosting Japan on Saturday, November 12.
Jones’s men will face their biggest challenges in the final two Tests starting with a clash against the All Blacks on Saturday, November 19 and concluding with a Test against the world champion Springboks a week later on Saturday, November 26.
The 62-year-old knows the Autumn Nations Series will be key to preparing for the fast-approaching World Cup in France next year, and Jones hopes to build on the momentum gained against the Wallabies.
“With a year to go to the Rugby World Cup, this is a big opportunity for players to come in and impress,” said Jones. “We want them to show real energy and enthusiasm and that they want to be a part of this massive year.
“It doesn’t mean that those who have been left out won’t be considered for the Autumn Nations Series matches. We’ll be looking at club games, form and fitness and the door is left open for those players.
“We finished the Australia tour well. It was a fantastic experience, particularly for the younger players. We now have to start again, but we’ll build on what we’ve done there and continue that momentum.”
England training squad
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Pearson, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Simmonds, Will Stuart, Hugh Tizard, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis
Backs: Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Fraser Dingwall, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Jonny May, Alex Mitchell, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs
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