Eddie Jones has named a strong squad for Sunday’s uncapped fixture against the Barbarians as England get ready for the return of the Six Nations next week.
Players from Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs and Wasps have not been picked by Jones as they could play in Saturday’s Premiership final, which is also being played at Twickenham.
Jones, however, has named a strong 32-man squad to train ahead of Sunday’s match against the Barbarians, with in-form Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer the most high-profile absentee.
Saracens full-back Elliot Daly has also been left out after arriving in camp with a niggle that means he isn’t fit to train this week.
Jones’ group includes captain Owen Farrell and his Saracens’ team-mates Jamie George, Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers. Uncapped wing Ali Crossdale is also called up.
Harlequins duo Alex Dombrandt and Joe Marchant have been called up too, with the latter hoping to start at outside centre in the absence of the injured Manu Tuilagi.
Their club team-mate Joe Marler is also linking up with the squad to take part in some reconditioning work ahead of next week’s Six Nations match with Italy.
England will travel to Rome for the final round of this year's competition, which was rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, knowing that victory could secure them the title.
As a result Jones has labelled Sunday’s match with the Barbarians as “important”, with the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup also taking place in November and December.
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