Joe Marler and Danny Cipriani in England RWC squad

Colin Newboult
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Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been named in Eddie Jones’ 35-man England World Cup squad after coming out of international retirement for the tournament in Japan.

The 29-year-old prop retired from international rugby last September having played 59 Tests for the Red Rose, but has now made himself available for the upcoming competition.

Premiership finalists Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens) and Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) return to the England setup following their off-season.

Jones has included four uncapped players in the group. Gloucester’s half-back and captain Willi Heinz is joined by former England U20 forward Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), former England Sevens player and Olympic silver medallist Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby) and Saracens’ new signing Jack Singleton.

Elsewhere, fly-half Danny Cipriani did enough to impress the coaches in the second training camp and is also among the 35.

While not named in the initial group, George Kruis (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) and Mako Vunipola (Saracens) will continue their rehabilitation in camp and are still considered for selection.

On his selection decisions, Jones said: “World Cup selection is a four-year process. We have looked at the squad carefully, tried to build up a squad that has enough experience, attitude and energy to be winners and I think we have that.

“In the process, we have left out some players who can feel unlucky. For those guys who have missed out, the door is never closed but they have just got to be ready, as you never know when the opportunity comes.”

On Marler’s decision to come out of international retirement, Jones added: “I saw Joe during the Barbarians’ week and he indicated that he had a desire to come back. We have since had a couple of chats and we have given him the opportunity to do that. Now it is up to him to show us what he has got.”

England will play Wales (11 August) and Ireland (24 August) at Twickenham Stadium and Italy (6 September) in Newcastle as part of the Quilter Internationals as well as an away fixture against Wales (17 August) in Cardiff.

England will travel to Treviso, Italy for a heat camp from 22 July until 2 August before returning to Italy on 28 August until 5 September. The squad will also be based in Bristol for a week in July (14-18) and in August (12-16) ahead of England’s away match against Wales. For the two matches against Wales and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, the squad will train at Pennyhill Park.

England will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (22 September, KO 11:15am UK time) before playing USA Rugby in Kobe (26 September, KO 11:45am UK time), Argentina in Tokyo (5 October, KO 09:00am UK time) and France in Yokohama (12 October, KO 09:15am UK time).

England’s Rugby World Cup training squad

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 10 caps), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 10 caps), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 58 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 71 caps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 59 caps), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs, 8 caps), Brad Shields (Wasps, 8 caps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps), Jack Singleton (Saracens, uncapped), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 9 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 41 caps), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps), Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks, 13 caps)

Backs: Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 4 caps), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 30 caps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps), George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 4 caps), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 40 caps), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps), Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped), Ben Spencer (Saracens, 3 caps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps), Ben Te’o (unattached, 18 caps), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 33 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 85 caps)

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