LONDON (Reuters) – Halfbacks Alex Mitchell and George Ford were notable, though expected, injury absentees from Steve Borthwick’s 36-man England squad named on Wednesday for November games against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
Scrumhalf Mitchell has not played all season due to a neck injury and is unlikely to take any part in the series, but flyhalf Ford is listed as undergoing rehabilitation and expected to join the squad soon as he recovers from a thigh strain.
In the absence of Mitchell, England’s regular number nine in this year’s Six Nations and tour of New Zealand, Harry Randall, Ben Spencer and Jack van Poortvliet were included.
Henry Slade, who has yet to play for Exeter this season after undergoing shoulder surgery, was also included along with fellow centre Alex Lozowski, who won the last of his five caps six years ago but has been in great form for Saracens.
England narrowly lost both tests in New Zealand this year and meet them again in the first match on Nov. 2.
“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,” Borthwick said.
“Naming this squad is an exciting step in our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series, and we look forward to working with the players again in the days ahead.
“Our focus is on thorough preparation and building cohesion as we approach what will be a fiercely competitive series.”
The squad, made up of 20 forwards and 16 backs, will head to Girona, Spain next week to begin preparations.
Forwards
Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 14 caps)
Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 17 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 33 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 93 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 84 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 95 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens, 5 caps)
Luke Northmore (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 65 caps)
Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 35 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed Osmond)
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