England lock Maro Itoje and flanker Chris Robshaw have been called up to the 31-man training squad named by head coach Eddie Jones ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations match against Italy at Twickenham.
Robshaw has not played for England since the tour of Australia in June last year and missed the November Internationals and the opening three matches of the Six Nations because of a knee injury.
Itoje has recovered from the knee injury he sustained during England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland on Feb. 2. The lock returned to training ahead of England’s match against Wales last week, but was not included in the matchday squad as a precaution. He had his recovery fast-tracked after Courtney Lawes was ruled out of the tournament due to a calf strain.
Centre Jonathan Joseph, who has 40 caps, was also called up along with uncapped winger Ollie Thorley and number eight Ben Earl.
England need to win both of their remaining Six Nations matches and hope Wales slip up if they are to win the title.
Wales ended England’s Grand Slam hopes with a 21-13 win in Cardiff and face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday before finishing their campaign at home to Ireland.
Full England squad
Forwards (18): Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Ben Moon, Chris Robshaw, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Billy Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson
Backs (13): Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson, Henry Slade, Ollie Thorley, Ben Te’o, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs