Eddie Jones announces provisional 45-man elite player squad
Wasps back row Nathan Hughes has been picked by England for the first time
©PA
England coach Eddies Jones has named a provisional 45-man elite player squad for the autumn internationals with Fiji born flanker Nathan Hughes finding a place in it.
Hughes, who joined the Aviva Premiership club Wasps in 2013, qualified to play for England on residency grounds. During his stint with Wasps, Hughes has played 74 games, scoring 100 points in it. With Billy Vunipola excelling at the number-8 position, Hughes inclusion might have more to do with the injury to James Haskell, who is ruled out of the autumn series.
Zimbabwe born Leicester lock Mike Williams has been called-up by Jones for the first time, so does England Under-20 internationals Will Evans and Joe Marchant.
Dan Robson, Mike Haley and Charlie Ewels from the England Saxons squad that won against South Africa A in the two-match series have also been drafted into the squad.
Gloucester's Jonny May returns to the squad after recovering from a knee injury he sustained in December while Leicester captain Tom Youngs makes a comeback after being overlooked for the Six Nations and the Australian tour. However, Danny Cipriani, Luther Burrell and Chris Ashton fail to find a place.
Cipriani was sidelined ever since the pre-season training camp in Brighton during which Jones was not pleased with the efforts of the 28-year-old while Burrell struggled with his defence during the first Test against Australia in Brisbane forcing him to be replaced in the 28th minute of the game.
"This camp sets the scene for November. It's important to catch up with the players prior to the start of the season and continue to put our plans in place," Jones said.
"We'll use this time to reset and review each player's goals so they're clear on what is expected of them between now and when we meet up again in October.
"It also gives us an opportunity to meet and assess some new players and ensure they are familiar with the England set-up.
"The long-term strategy for England is to develop a side who can be the most dominant team in world rugby, so we've chosen a number of new faces to attend this camp on the form they have shown recently or the potential we see in them.
"There will always be opportunities for anyone playing consistently well in the Premiership at the start of the season to force their way into the EPS - the door is always open.
"Naturally players not included in this pre-season camp will be disappointed, but consistent high-level performances can change this."
England are set to play South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia during their autumn internationals with Jones given a deadline of 30th September to finalise the 45-man Elite Player Squad.
Forwards: Josh Beaumont, Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Clifford, Will Evans, Charlie Ewels, Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Teimana Harrison, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Paul Hill, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Matt Mullan, Chris Robshaw, Kyle Sinckler, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Mike Williams, Tom Youngs
Backs: Mike Brown, Danny Care, Elliott Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Alex Goode, Mike Haley, Jonathan Joseph, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Semesa Rokoduguni, Joe Simpson, Henry Slade, Ben Te'o, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Marland Yarde, Ben Youngs
