Vodacom Bulls lock Charlie Ewels has been selected in England’s first World Cup training squad, announced by head coach Steve Borthwick on Monday.
Ewels joined the Bulls in the Currie Cup from English Premiership club Bath on loan while nursing his way back from an injured ACL.
Zach Mercer and Danny Care have also been selected by Borthwick. No 8 Mercer, who will move to Premiership outfit Gloucester from French side Montpellier next season, last played Test rugby in 2018.
But Exeter back-row forward Sam Simmonds, signed by Montpellier as Mercer’s replacement, has ruled himself out of World Cup selection.
Exeter wing Jack Nowell, who is set to join reigning European champions La Rochelle, also made himself unavailable for the tournament in France. Mercer’s stint in France meant he was not eligible for England selection.
Harlequins scrumhalf Care won the last of his 87 England caps on tour in Australia a year ago.
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There are also places for Bath scrumhalf Ben Spencer in a 28-player group, alongside Bristol Bears halfback Harry Randall, Bath flanker Ted Hill, Quins prop Joe Marler and London Irish flanker Tom Pearson.
Irish last week filed for administration following their suspension from all club competitions by the Rugby Football Union. All four of the club’s representatives in the squad – Pearson, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Henry Arundell and Will Joseph – wanted to be listed on the official squad press release as London Irish players.
Former Wasps lock Joe Launchbury was not considered due to a minor injury.
Borthwick’s group does not include players from Premiership semi-finalists Saracens, Sale, Northampton and Leicester, who are on rest periods.
England face Wales twice, Ireland and Fiji in August before launching their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Marseille on 9 September. The final England World Cup squad of 33 players will be announced on 7 August.
Borthwick said: “We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations… we’re relishing the challenge in front of us.”
England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 28-player training squad for his first Rugby World Cup 2023 preparation camp
The squad does not include players from the four Premiership semi-finalist teams, Leicester, Northampton, Sale & Saracens#WearTheRose | @O2
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 12, 2023
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