Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, Ollie Sleightholme and Fin Smith have all been named in England’s 36-man training squad ahead of the upcoming 2025 Guinness Six Nations.
Steve Borthwick’s squad convenes at Pennyhill Park before travelling to Girona for a week-long training camp on Sunday, as the squad prepare to begin their Six Nations campaign in Dublin when they take on Ireland on Saturday 1 February (kick-off: 4.45pm).
England then take to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham for back-to-back home clashes against France and then Scotland – on Saturday 8 February and Saturday 22 February respectively (both 4.45pm kick-offs).
England’s final home match of the tournament comes in Round 4 when Italy head to Allianz Stadium on Sunday 9 March (kick-off: 3pm), before Borthwick’s side wrap up their campaign in Cardiff against Wales on Saturday 15 March (kick-off: 4.45pm).
As Saints’ only forward in the squad, Coles goes in search of his eighth international cap during the tournament. Meanwhile, scrum-half Mitchell returns to the international fold for the first time since last July – looking to add to his 18 caps to date.
Northampton’s Smith – who has seven caps to his name currently – is named as one of three fly-half options for the tournament, while centre Dingwall is also added to the 36-man squad and will hope to add to his two caps.
In England’s back three, Northampton are represented by 15-cap Freeman and five-cap Sleightholme amongst the 16 backs named for the training squad.
Head coach Borthwick said: “I’ve selected a squad where every player brings something unique to the group. The Six Nations is always a fiercely contested and exciting tournament, and this year will be no exception.
“We’re looking forward to the squad coming together in Girona to kick off our preparations for the opening challenge against Ireland in Dublin.”
ENGLAND’S 36-MAN SQUAD FOR SIX NATIONS TRAINING CAMP
FORWARDS:
Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 6 caps)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 11 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 6 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 56 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 16 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 20 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 37 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 66 caps) – vice-captain
Jamie George (Saracens, 97 caps) – vice-captain
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 88 caps) – captain
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)
Tom Willis (Saracens, 1 cap)
BACKS:
Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 69 caps)
Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 39 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
Rehabilitation: Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), and Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).
