Four retained by England

By Mark Stevens
29/1/18

Four Exeter Chiefs have been retained by England head coach Eddie Jones in a 36-man squad that will prepare for England’s opening NatWest 6 Nations match against Italy in Rome on Sunday, February 4 (3pm GMT).

Props Alec Hepburn and Harry Williams, together with Sam Simmonds and Jack Nowell, have all reported to England's training base at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot today.

Following last week’s training camp in Portugal, the quartet have all been retained, while club-mate Henry Slade was forced to pull out last week after picking up a shoulder injury in Exeter's European Champions Cup clash with Glasgow Warriors.

James Haskell (Wasps) and Joe Marler (Harlequins) have also joined up with the squad, however both are unavailable for selection this weekend due to suspension.

Backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Nathan Earle (Saracens) *
Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints) *
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins) * **
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards

Lewis Boyce (Harlequins) *
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby) *
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs) *
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) *
James Haskell (Wasps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Uncapped *
Apprentice player **