Chiefs duo named in England squad

By Mark Stevens
16/1/23

Exeter Chiefs duo Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade have both been named in Steve Borthwick's first England squad that will meet for a Guinness Six Nations training camp next week.

Simmonds and Slade were both part of England's plans during the Autumn Nations Series, but there is no place for club-mate Jack Nowell. Fellow Chief, Luke Cowan-Dickie, has also not been included after undergoing ankle surgery following the recent Gallagher Premiership clash with Northampton Saints.

Head coach Borthwick has called up 36 players who will train at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park for five days as they begin preparations for the prestigious tournament.

There is a first call up for Northampton Saints’ Fin Smith. The fly-half joins four other uncapped players in the squad – Ollie Hassell-Collins, George McGuigan, Cadan Murley and Jack Walker.

Courtney Lawes returns to the squad following injury. There are also returns for Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt and Nick Isiekwe and backs Elliot Daly, Dan Kelly, Max Malins and Joe Marchant.

England’s opening game is the historic Calcutta Cup fixture against Scotland on Saturday 4 February (4.45pm KO).

Borthwick said: "This is an exciting squad, with a blend of Six Nations experience and young talent, and includes players who are in excellent form in the Premiership. We are all looking forward to the challenges of the Six Nations and we will approach this great tournament with a spirit of courage and total commitment.

“I know the players can't wait to get back to Twickenham and give our fans a performance they can be proud of. The hard work for the Scotland game starts now."

Following the Scotland clash, England will host Italy on Sunday, 12 February (3pm KO). They will then travel to Cardiff to take on Wales on Saturday, 25 February (4.45pm KO).

England are then back at Twickenham to face France on Saturday, 11 March (4.45pm KO). The final game is in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday, 18 March (5pm KO).

All matches are live on ITV, except for Wales v England which is on the BBC.

FULL ENGLAND SQUAD

FORWARDS

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks,1 cap)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 9 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 13 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 43 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 72 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 8 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 62 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)
George McGuigan (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 74 caps)
Jack Walker (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Willis (Toulouse, 6 caps)

BACKS

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 101 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
Max Malins (Saracens, 14 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 13 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 52 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 17 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 17 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 121 caps)