Sam Simmonds included in 36-member training squad of England
Sam Simmonds is part of England's training squad despite reports of him joining Montpellier
©PA
England coach Eddie Jones has included Sam Simmonds in the 36-member training squad for the upcoming autumn series.
The news of Simmonds inclusion comes despite reports of him joining Montpellier while Danny Care, Joe Marchant and Harry Randall, who were part of the summer tour of Australia have been left out along with Henry Slade.
Apart from Simmonds, Manu Tuilagi has also been handed a lifeline after recovering from an injury with Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet joining Ben Youngs as scrum-halves for the three-day training camp.
Sam Underhill misses out on selection as he will be needing a surgery to address his shoulder injury while Tom Pearson and David Ribbans have been called up by Jones.
Apart from Underhill, Alfie Barbeary, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Sam Jeffries, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Courtney Lawes, and Anthony Watson are named in the unavailable list due to injuries.
"With a year to go to the Rugby World Cup, this is a big opportunity for players to come in and impress," Jones said.
"We want them to show real energy and enthusiasm and that they want to be a part of this massive year.
"It doesn't mean that those who have been left out won't be considered for the Autumn Nations Series matches. We'll be looking at club games, form and fitness and the door is left open for those players.
"We finished the Australia tour well. It was a fantastic experience, particularly for the younger players. We now have to start again, but we'll build on what we've done there and continue that momentum."
England will be facing Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium during their autumn series.
England's training squad:
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Pearson, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Simmonds, Will Stuart, Hugh Tizard, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker and Jack Willis.
Backs: Henry Arundell, Joe Cokanasiga, Fraser Dingwall, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Jonny May, Alex Mitchell, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet and Ben Youngs.
Unavailable for selection due to injury: Alfie Barbeary, Nic Dolly, Alex Dombrandt, Charlie Ewels, George Ford, Sam Jeffries, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill and Anthony Watson.
