Eddie Jones has called prop Will Goodrick-Clarke and flanker Lewis Ludlow into a 25-man squad for a three-day England training camp in Bristol this week.
After the 23-19 victory over Wales at Twickenham in Round 3 of the Guinness Six Nations, head coach Jones begins his side’s preparations for the visit of Ireland to HQ in Round 4, with their Championship fate still firmly in their own hands.
The squad has joined up today at Clifton College and on top of the 25 playing members, Exeter Chiefs second row Jonny Hill will continue his rehab from a stress fracture in his lower leg.
And Sale Sharks flanker Tom Curry, England’s captain in the opening two rounds of the Championship, will work through his graduated return to play protocols after being substituted at half-time last weekend.
London Irish’s Goodrick-Clarke is uncapped but has been in imperious form with the Exiles since joining from Championship side Richmond in 2019 and is one of two looseheads in the training squad alongside Ellis Genge.
PLAY GUINNESS SIX NATIONS FANTASY RUGBY
Goodrick-Clarke’s teammate, winger Ollie Hassell-Collins, also features in the squad, with Northampton Saints’ George Furbank the other back included who did not feature in the matchday 23 for Wales.
Meanwhile Gloucester captain Ludlow returns to the fray after becoming just the sixth player, and first in 37 years, to lead England on his debut last year against USA, with another uncapped star in Wasps’ back row Alfie Barbeary also selected.
FORWARDS Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped) Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps) Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 7 caps) Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 29 caps) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 64 caps) Will Goodrick-Clarke (London Irish, uncapped) Maro Itoje (Saracens, 54 caps) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 6 caps) Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 69 caps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 91 caps) Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps) Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps) Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 50 caps) Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
BACKS George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 5 caps) Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped) Max Malins (Saracens, 13 caps) Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 10 caps) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps) Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 4 caps) Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 46 caps) Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 8 caps) Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
