Slade and Curry return for England, but Mitchell out
Centre Henry Slade and flanker Tom Curry have recovered from injury to make England’s 36-man squad for the autumn internationals, but first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell is out with a neck problem.
Slade had shoulder surgery after the summer tour to New Zealand and has not played for Exeter yet this season, while Sale’s Curry made his return from a concussion lay-off in Friday’s win over Newcastle.
Mitchell’s absence means Ben Spencer, Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall are the three named scrum-halves.
Sale’s George Ford will continue his rehabiltation from a torn quad muscle as part of the squad, with Marcus Smith and Fin Smith the other specialist stand-offs.
Elsewhere Harlequins centre Luke Northmore replaces the injured Fraser Dingwall, with Saracens’ Alex Lozowski, hunting his first cap in six years, and Ollie Lawrence the other midfield options.
Back row Tom Willis fails to make the squad despite an impressive start to the season, but Tom Curry’s twin brother Ben is included, along with Harlequins number eight Alex Dombrandt, who is on the way back from a broken hand.
England begin their autumn campaign against New Zealand on 2 November, before matches against Australia, South Africa and Japan.
“Facing New Zealand in the opening match is a tremendous opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world,” said head coach Steve Borthwick.
“Having only played at Allianz Stadium twice in our last 15 games, it will be fantastic to return and play in front of our home crowd.”
More to follow.
England’s 36-player squad:
Forwards
Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens) Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).
Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester)
Rehabilitation: George Ford (Sale)
Not considered for selection: Alex Coles (Northampton), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Will Muir (Bath), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale).
