England: Steve Borthwick names 36-man squad featuring duo’s long-awaited return and a star-studded 9-man injury list
Steve Borthwick has announced a 36-player squad for a three-day training camp.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has announced a 36-player squad for a three-day training camp ahead of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.
The squad will assemble on Monday, October 7, with training taking place at England’s Honda Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park and at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
England’s Autumn Nations Series training squad
“After watching a competitive and high-scoring start to the Premiership season, I am once again looking forward to gathering the players together,” said boss Borthwick.
“This training camp is an important part of our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series as we continue to build on the cohesion we’ve developed over the past two campaigns.
“The squad reflects the depth and quality we have in English rugby, and we are looking forward to working with the players ahead of what will be a highly competitive series.”
Luke Cowan-Dickie and Alex Lozowski recalled
The training squad features many of the stars that featured in the July internationals and the Six Nations tournament earlier this year.
However, there are notable recalls for Sale Sharks hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and Saracens playmaker Alex Lozowski.
Hooker Cowan-Dickie has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, which resulted in him missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but returns to the squad alongside fellow hookers Theo Dan and Jamie George.
Meanwhile, Lozowski earns a recall after a six-year absence from the international scene. The Saracens star technically qualifies to play for Italy but will vie to add to his five England caps.
Other notable additions to the squad include in-form back-rowers Greg Fisilau, Tom Pearson and Tom Willis as well as backs Oscar Beard, Elliot Daly, Jack van Poortvliet and prop Trevor Davison.
Injured stars Henry Slade, Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore will attend the training camp where they will continue their rehabilitation while a list of five players not considered for selection was also named.
The list includes Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir, and Max Ojomoh as well as Sale’s Ben Curry, Tom Curry, George Ford, Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd. Saints’ star half-back Alex Mitchell was the other player included on the injured list.
England welcome New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, November 2 for their first match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, before taking on Australia, South Africa and Japan.
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England squad
Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints), Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Tom Willis (Saracens)
Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
Rehabilitation: Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Luke Northmore (Harlequins)
Not considered for selection: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Will Muir (Bath Rugby), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks)
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