Eddie Jones has left five senior players, including four Saracens representatives, out of his 45-man England training squad.
Experienced quintet Mako and Billy Vunipola, Jamie George, Elliot Daly (all Saracens) and George Ford (Leicester Tigers) have been omitted from Jones’ latest training squad, which contains eight uncapped players.
Among the eight uncapped players included, are Gloucester centre Mark Atkinson, Harlequins flank Jack Kenningham, wing Louis Lynagh, and hooker Sam Riley, Wasps hooker Gabriel Oghre, Sale scrumhalf Raffi Quirke and prop Bevan Rodd and Gloucester wing Ollie Sleightholme.
Lynach, who scored two late tries in last season’s Premiership final to inspire Harlequins to their first title since 2012, is the son of former Wallabies great Michael Lynach. The 20-year-old is eligible to play for Australia, England and Italy.
Nine players who made their debuts in England’s mid-year Tests have also been recalled. They are Jamie Blamire, Trevor Davison, Alex Dombrandt, Joe Heyes, Lewis Ludlow, Adam Radwan, Harry Randall, Marcus Smith and Freddie Steward.
There are returns to the squad for senior and experienced players, including England’s second-most capped player Ben Youngs (109 caps), alongside Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Jonny May and Anthony Watson – all of whom have more than 50 caps.
“This is an exciting squad made up of experienced players and young guys who did well in the summer and earned their place again,” said Jones.
“We have left out some experienced players but we’re really clear that the door isn’t closed to them, and we’re looking forward to seeing them work hard to get back into contention.
“We have five campaigns now until the 2023 World Cup so each one counts, and this is a chance for this 45 to impress the new coaching staff.”
England training squad:
Forwards – Jamie Blamire, Callum Chick, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Trevor Davison, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Ted Hill, Maro Itoje, Jack Kenningham, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Lewis Ludlow, Joe Marler, George Martin, Beno Obano, Gabriel Oghre, Sam Riley, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill.
Backs – Mark Atkinson, Owen Farrell, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Louis Lynagh, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Raffi Quirke, Adam Radwan, Harry Randall, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
