England have named eight uncapped players in a 35-man squad selected to prepare for the opening 6 Nations opener against Italy on February 4.
A succession of injuries and suspensions - including to star players such Billy Vunipola, Elliot Daly and Nathan Hughes - have forced Eddie Jones to bring in a host of new faces.
Saracens wing Nathan Earle, Northampton centre Harry Mallinder and Harlequins full-back Marcus Smith are the rookie backs included.
Exeter prop Alec Hepburn, Harlequins prop Lewis Boyce, Newcastle flanker Gary Graham, Bath backrow Zach Mercer and Bath hooker Tom Dunn make up the new faces in the forwards.
Mercer is no longer included as an apprentice in recognition of the injuries at number eight to Vunipola and Hughes, leaving Smith as the only player featuring in that capacity.
Share
