Center Henry Slade and flanker Tom Curry have returned from injury to be included in England’s 36-man squad for the autumn internationals. But first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell is out with a neck problem.
Slade had shoulder surgery following the summer tour of New Zealand and has yet to play for Exeter this season, while Sale’s Currie returned from injury in Friday’s win over Newcastle.
Mitchell’s absence means Ben Spencer, Jack van Poortvliet and Harry Randall are the three named scrum-halves.
Sale’s George Ford continues his rehabilitation from a torn quad muscle as part of the squad, with Marcus Smith and Finn Smith the other specialist stand-offs.
Elsewhere Harlequins center Luke Northmore has replaced the injured Fraser Dingwall, Saracens’ Alex Lozowski, looking for his first cap in six years, and Ollie Lawrence are the other midfield options.
Back-row Tom Willis failed to break into the team despite an impressive start to the season, but Tom Currie’s twin brother Ben has been included, as well as Harlequins number eight Alex Dombrandt, who is set to withdraw due to a broken hand. Are on the way.
Harlequins’ Oscar Beard along with Exeter’s Ethan Rootes and Northampton’s Tom Pearson have also been ruled out after attending a three-day training camp earlier this month.
There is no room for Bristol duo Gabriel Ibitoye and Gabriel Oghare and Ted Hill’s strong form in Bath’s back row has failed to force Borthwick’s hand.
England begin their autumn campaign against New Zealand on November 2, before matches against Australia, South Africa and Japan.
Head coach Steve Borthwick said, “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.”
“Having only played at the Allianz Stadium twice in the last 15 matches, it will be fantastic to return and play in front of our home crowd.”
England lost their two Test matches against New Zealand in the summer by one point and seven points respectively.
England’s new backroom staff will be put to the first test this autumn with defense coach Joe El-Abed following Felix Jones’ resignation from the post in September.
England’s 36-player squad:
Ahead
Finn Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chasem (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Currie (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dann (Saracens) ), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Ganz (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).
Back
Elliot Daly (Saracens), Emmanuel Fayi-Waboso (Exeter), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholm (Northampton), Finn Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
Rehabilitation: George Ford (sales)
Not considered for selection: Alex Coles (Northampton), Joe Kokanasiga (Bath), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Will Muir (Bath), Max Ojomoah (Bath), Rafi Quirke (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale).