England recall Anthony Watson and Luke Cowan-Dickie

Colin Newboult

Bath back Anthony Watson and Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie have been recalled to the England squad ahead of Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup clash against Wales.

Neither player has so far featured in the tournament, but Watson has overcome an ankle problem and Cowan-Dickie returned to action following minor knee surgery when Exeter beat Harlequins on Friday evening.

Injured duo

Northampton full-back George Furbank and Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga, meanwhile, are both injured and not included in a 35-man group squad announced by the Rugby Football Union.

England are chasing a seventh successive victory, and need only a point against Wales to win Pool A and secure a Nations Cup final place – probably against France – on Saturday week.

Eddie Jones’ side beat Wales 33-30 when the countries last met in the Six Nations eight months ago.

But while Jones’ team have continued their winning ways since then, Wales have struggled.

Their victory over Georgia on Saturday ended a six-match losing run under head coach Wayne Pivac, yet Wales have only beaten England twice from the last eight attempts.

England’s 35-man squad

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Beno Obano, David Ribbans, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams, Jack Willis

Backs: Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Jonny May, Alex Mitchell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Ollie Thorley, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs