Coach Eddie Jones has brought Billy Vunipola and Danny Care back from international exile after including them on Monday in a 36-man squad for England’s July tour of Australia.
Vunipola, who was excellent for Saracens in Saturday’s Premiership final, suffered a concussion in the game but was included in the squad. He last appeared for England in the 2021 Six Nations.
Meanwhile, scrum-half Care’s last cap came against Japan in 2018, though the 35-year-old, who has had a superb season for Harlequins, did come off the bench in England’ non-cap 52-21 defeat by the Barbarians on Sunday.
There are eight uncapped players in the squad — Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Guy Porter, Patrick Schickerling, Jack van Poortvliet and Jack Walker, along with Henry Arundell and Will Joseph who are named as apprentice players.
Alex Dombrandt, Joe Cokanasiga, George Ford, Sam Simmonds, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Kyle Sinckler, Anthony Watson, Louis Lynagh and George Furbank were unavailable through injury, while Ben Youngs also misses the trip due to family reasons.
Prop Joe Marler was another big name not to make the trip, along with Premiership player of the year Ben Earl.
“Though we have 10 players unavailable due to injury, we have picked a very strong squad capable of winning the series,” Jones said.
“This squad is a real mix of young, talented players and some very experienced, senior players and we’re looking forward to bring the group together.”
The first test is in Perth on July 2 followed by Brisbane and Sydney in the following two weeks. England have won their last eight games against Australia, all under Jones, starting with a clean sweep of their three-test tour in 2016.
England squad for Australia tour
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Bevan Rodd, Patrick Schickerling, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Joe Cokanasiga, Fraser Dingwall, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Joseph, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Harry Randall, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward.