Ben Te’o and Mike Brown were both omitted from England’s 31-man squad for the World Cup in Japan.
New Zealand-born Te’o was reported to have been involved in a scuffle with Mike Brown at the England squad’s training camp in Italy recently, and is the real surprise omission. Former sevens specialist Ruaridh McConnochie was instead included.
Meanwhile scrumhalf Willi Heinz, flanker Lewis Ludlam and hooker Jack Singleton were also selected.
New Zealand-born Brad Shields was also left out as a result of injury, with playmaker Danny Cipriani another who misses out along with former captain Dylan Hartley.
‘A lot of good players have missed out,’ said coach Eddie Jones. ‘We feel for them, I feel for them personally … all those players who have missed out have been told they have to be ready.’
Ultimately, Jones has named his squad nearly a month ahead of World Rugby’s 8 September deadline.
England also still have three remaining warm-up fixtures, including a clash with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday followed by matches against Ireland and Italy.
Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps), George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 59 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 72 caps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 1 cap), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 58 caps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps), Jack Singleton (Saracens, 1 cap), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 42 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/Sale Sharks, 13 caps).
Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 5 caps), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 31 caps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps), George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 5 caps), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 41 caps), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 34 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps).
