Joe Marchant has been recalled to England’s training squad for next month’s Nations Championship as Steve Borthwick faces injury disruption to his midfield options.
Marchant receives his first England call-up since the 2023 World Cup after his two-year spell at Stade Francais ended with his return to the Gallagher Prem with Sale this season, making him available for selection once again.
The 30-year-old is joined in the 36-man group that on Sunday begins preparations for the autumn opener against Australia by Will Joseph, the Gloucester centre whose form has lit up the Prem in the opening four rounds.
Joseph, the younger brother of former England star Jonathan Joseph, made his only Test appearance during the 2022 tour of Australia but will be looking to press his claim in the absence of Seb Atkinson.
Atkinson, who is pencilled in to start against the Wallabies at inside centre, will join the squad at their Surrey base but during this camp will be limited to rehabilitating a knee injury.
Adding to Borthwick’s problems in midfield is the concussion sustained by Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who has not played since taking a head knock on club duty for Bristol on October 3.
Marchant, Joseph, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Slade and Max Ojomoh are the fit centres currently available to Borthwick.
Prop Fin Baxter makes his first appearance in an England squad since December having made a successful comeback from a foot injury in Harlequins’ Prem victory over Saracens on Sunday.
Courtney Lawes has been unable to force his way into the squad after he also joined Sale following a spell in France but could be involved later in the autumn.
Chandler Cunningham-South is missing because of an ankle problem but Ben Curry and Tom Pearson have been included as back row options.
For now Saracens’ Theo Dan has lost his place as third choice hooker behind Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie with Bath’s Kepueli Tuipulotu instead given his chance to impress.
Joining Atkinson in rehabilitation are Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (hamstring) and Guy Pepper (knee).
England open the second phase of the Nations Championship against Australia at Allianz Stadium in a fortnight before their campaign continues with fixtures against Japan and New Zealand. Finals weekend completes the month’s action.
England Training Squad for Autumn Internationals
Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie George (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), George Martin (Saracens), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Kepueli Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby)
Backs: Noah Caluori (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Harlequins), Will Joseph (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Marchant (Sale Sharks), Archie McParland (Northampton Saints), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)