Alex Mitchell, George Ford and Fraser Dingwall have all failed to make England’s 36-player squad for the autumn internationals due to injury, but Tom Curry has been passed fit.
Northampton Saints scrum-half Mitchell has developed into a key man for club and country in recent years, but a neck injury has ruled him out for England’s Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Tests vs New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
There had been hope Sale Sharks fly-half Ford would overcome his thigh injury to be selected, but he has failed to make the panel. He is the only player listed to undergo “rehabilitation” on the squad release.
Northampton centre Dingwall – a player some had picked as a potential England starter this November – has failed to make it due to a knee injury.
Centre Fraser Dingwall is another to miss out due to injury (knee)
Sale back-row Curry has missed the majority of the Premiership season to date due to concussion, but has made the cut in a boost to head coach Steve Borthwick.
Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade is also included, but has not played since the summer due to shoulder surgery, while Saracens midfielder Alex Lozowski has made the squad despite not playing for England since November 2018.
Fly-half George Ford has also not been included due to his recent thigh injury
Back-rows Tom Willis (Saracens) and Ethan Roots (Exeter) have been omitted, while lock Alex Coles (Northampton) is also listed as injured.
Exeter back-row Greg Fisilau and Harlequins centre Oscar Beard also miss out, despite having been a part of England’s recent mini-camp.
“Naming this squad is an exciting step in our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series, and we look forward to working with the players again in the days ahead.” said Borthwick.
“Our focus is on thorough preparation and building cohesion as we approach what will be a fiercely competitive series.
“Facing New Zealand in the opening match is a tremendous opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.
“Having only played at Allianz Stadium twice in our last 15 games, it will be fantastic to return and play in front of our home crowd. The energy and passion of our supporters always give the players an extra boost.”
36-player squad named for England’s autumn Tests
Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Nick Isiekwe (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).
Backs: Elliot Daly (Saracens), 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), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
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