Owen Farrell and Henry Arundell have been included in a 36-man England training squad ahead of a tour of Australia.
Farrell, who had been England’s captain, missed the whole of the Six Nations with an ankle injury. The 30-year-old has twice undergone ankle surgery this season but the flyhalf/centre has since proved his form and fitness with Saracens.
Among 10 uncapped players included in the squad, is London Irish teen sensation Arundell, who has scored seven tries in 12 senior appearances for the club.
Arundell scored one of the tries of the season, running the length of the pitch and slaloming his way past five defenders in the Exiles’ Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat by Toulon earlier this month.
Watch: Teen tears through Toulon
Several senior players including Ben Youngs, Jamie George and Henry Slade have been omitted, but Jones said those not selected could still feature against Australia.
“We’re going to use this camp as an opportunity to prepare a base game for the Barbarians fixture and for a really important Australia tour,” said England coach Eddie Jones. “It is also 16 months to the World Cup and every minute counts.”
England play the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham on 19 June before travelling to Australia for three Tests against the Wallabies, starting in Perth on 2 July.
England are unbeaten in eight Tests against the Wallabies since former Australia coach Jones took charge after the 2015 World Cup.
England squad
Forwards: Alfie Barbeary, Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, George McGuigan, Tom Pearson, Bevan Rodd, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Mako Vunipola, Jack Willis. Backs: Henry Arundell, Orlando Bailey, Joe Cokanasiga, Fraser Dingwall, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Louis Lynagh, Alex Mitchell, Harry Randall, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson.
© Agence France-Presse
