Two significant omissions as new apprentice called into 25-man England squad

England men’s head coach Eddie Jones has recalled 25 players to his squad for three days of training in Oxford this week ahead of England’s next Guinness Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 7 March.

New apprentice Alex Mitchell will join up with the squad, while George Furbank will be in camp for rehabilitation.

Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie are not included for family reasons.

Vunipola is is unlikely to return to these shores in time for the penultimate round of the Six Nations against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday week.

On the positive side Anthony Watson is named in the squad. Watson is seeking to demonstrate he has recovered from the calf problem that has prevented him from taking part in the championship to date.

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WATCH: The guys round up all the Guinness Six Nations and Premiership action. They discuss the shenanigans at the breakdown in England v Ireland among others. We also hear from Brad Shields on his injury and his quest to get back into Eddie’s England squad.

“Mako probably won’t be back for Wales. He’s gone home for family business,” head coach Jones said.

“Anthony’s got to do a running session and if he gets through that we’ll get him into camp.”

England swept aside Ireland in a performance that evoked memories of the victories over Australia and New Zealand that propelled them into last autumn’s World Cup final.

Forwards

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks)

Backs

Elliot Daly (Saracens)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Apprentice

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

– England Rugby/additional reporting Press Association