Steve Borthwick has named his first England squad that will meet for a Guinness Six Nations training camp next week.
New England head coach Borthwick has called up 36 players who will train at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park for five days as they begin preparations for the prestigious tournament.
There is a first call up for Northampton Saints’ Fin Smith. The fly half joins four other uncapped players in the squad – London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins, Gloucester hooker George McGuigan, and Harlequins winger Cadan Murley and hooker Jack Walker.
Courtney Lawes returns to the squad following injury. There are also returns for Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt and Nick Isiekwe and backs Elliot Daly, Dan Kelly, Max Malins and Joe Marchant.
Bath's contingent of England contenders have been overlooked with winger Joe Cokanasiga, flankers Sam Underhill and Ted Hill and centre Ollie Lawrence all missing out despite some sterling form in recent months. Bath's tighthead prop Will Stuart is injured.
Many had also expected to see Gloucester loosehead Val Rapava-Ruskin involved with the national side as he leads the Premiership in almost ever statistic for his position. Cherry and Whites' winger Jonny May has also been left out having been a favourite of former England head coach Eddie Jones who was named as the new Australia head coach earlier today.
Another pair of experienced star to miss out are Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola and Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell.
England’s opening game is the historic Calcutta Cup fixture against Scotland on Saturday 4 February (4.45pm KO).
Borthwick said: "This is an exciting squad, with a blend of Six Nations experience and young talent, and includes players who are in excellent form in the Premiership.
“We are all looking forward to the challenges of the Six Nations and we will approach this great tournament with a spirit of courage and total commitment.
“I know the players can't wait to get back to Twickenham and give our fans a performance they can be proud of. The hard work for the Scotland game starts now."
Following the Scotland clash, England will host Italy on Sunday 12 February (3pm KO). They will then travel to Cardiff to take on Wales on Saturday 25 February (4.45pm KO).
England are then back at Twickenham to face France on Saturday 11 March (4.45pm KO). The final game is in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday 18 March (5pm KO).
All matches are live on ITV, except for Wales v England which is on the BBC.
FULL ENGLAND SQUAD
FORWARDS
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks,1 cap)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 9 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 43 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 72 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 8 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
George McGuigan (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 74 caps)
Jack Walker (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Willis (Toulouse, 6 caps)
BACKS
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 13 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 52 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 caps)
