Sam Simmonds, the England and Lions No.8 and former European player of the year, has dealt Steve Borthwick a blow by making himself unavailable for the Rugby World Cup.
The Montpellier-bound Exeter star was expected to challenge Billy Vunipola and Alex Dombrandt for selection at the tournament in France, having been so influential in Chiefs' run to the Champions Cup semi-finals.
Instead he spoke to Borthwick ahead of today’s first training camp and ruled himself out of contention - opening the door to Zach Mercer, the man he is replacing at Montpellier next season.
Mercer, who joins Gloucester next season, is named in a 28-man squad along with fellow No.8 Tom Pearson, whose future is uncertain after his club London Irish folded last week.
Vunipola will attend the camp but only to continue his rehabilitation from injury.
Borthwick is holding three camps before he announces his official World Cup training squad, on June 30, which will travel to Verona to prepare for the autumn showpiece.
“We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations,” said the Cumbrian, who replaced Eddie Jones at the turn of the year.
“The World Cup is full of top-quality teams and high-quality players, and we’re relishing the challenge in front of us. That all starts today at Pennyhill Park.
“We have lots to get through before our first Summer Series fixture in August against Wales in Cardiff, so the hard work starts now. We are looking forward to it.”
No players from the four Premiership semi-finalists are included but there are recalls for evergreen Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Bath duo Ben Spencer and Charlie Ewels.
ENGLAND TRAINING SQUAD
Forwards
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
Ted Hill (Bath Rugby)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Zach Mercer (Montpellier Hérault Rugby)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby)
Tom Pearson (London Irish)
Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Jack Walker (Harlequins)
Backs
Henry Arundell (London Irish)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
Will Joseph (London Irish)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
