by England winger Marcus Smith could miss the Six Nations after injuring his calf in training on Monday.
Meanwhile, Charlie Ewels is back in the England squad to prepare for the start of the Six Nations after illness forced Nick Isiekwe out of training camp in Girona.
Ewels, who is yet to feature in a Test match under Steve Borthwick, joins a group of back-fives already depleted by the international retirement of Courtney Lawes and a knee injury to George Martin.
Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum and Alex Coles are all in contention against Italy on February 3, while two promising forwards, Ethan Roots and Chandler Cunningham-South, will also be able to cover the blindside.
Who is in the England Six Nations squad?
Steve Borthwick initially named a 36-man squad for the Six Nations which included seven uncapped players. Since then, four players have withdrawn: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Nick Isiekwe, Oscar Beard and Ollie Lawrence. They were replaced by Jamie Blamire, Charlie Ewels, Max Ojomah and Will Muir.
Telegraph Sport columnist Will Greenwood has provided an analysis of each player selected
Forward
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, unlimited)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 15 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, unlimited)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Added: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
Added: Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Barriers
Oscar Beard (Harlequins, unlimited)
Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps)
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, unlimited)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, unlimited)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Selling Sharks, Unlimited)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, unlimited)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 30 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
Added: Max Ojomoh (Bath, unlimited)
Added: Will Muir (Bath, unlimited)
Why Charlie Ewels fits Borthwick’s plan
Borthwick is known to be excited about a ‘hybrid’ forward like Isiekwe who can move between the lock and the back. One of Itoje, Chessum or Coles may wear the number six in Rome for the opening game against Italy.
Ewels won the last of his 30 caps in Ireland’s 2022 defeat at Twickenham when he was sent off in the second minute for a dangerous tackle on James Ryan.
He later returned to the wider squad and was part of the touring party that traveled to Australia that summer, but suffered a serious knee injury in training ahead of the Test series against the Wallabies.
In a bid to build form and fitness for last year’s World Cup, the 28-year-old represented the Bulls in South Africa and earned a call-up to Borthwick’s training squad.
However, he was forgotten for the tournament as Itoje, Chessum, Martin and David Ribbans were selected. Ribbans has been traded from Northampton Saints for Toulon in the Top 14.
Ewels, who still has a reputation as a line general who works all over the pitch, can be buoyed by his domestic form as he links up with England. He has featured in nine of Bath’s 11 Premier League games so far this season, starting eight of them as the West Country outfit have established a likeness in the top half of the table.
Indeed, the news is a blow to Bath, who will be without the former club captain, as well as their other England squad players already in Girona, for a crucial derby against Bristol at Ashton Gate on Saturday, January 26 .
Who is England’s captain?
In the absence of Owen Farrell, Borthwick has the experience of hurler Jamie George to captain the Six Nations.
“When I asked Jamie to captain this upcoming series, I could feel his excitement and pride at being asked to lead his country. I am delighted that he has accepted the role,” said Borthwick.
“Jamie has admired this group for several years. With 85 England caps to his name, he is a quiet, influential character with excellent tactical sense who sets high standards, while building strong relationships with those around him.
George, who has 85 international caps to his name, said: “I love playing rugby for England. I hope everyone saw how much it means to me, I’ve never hid from that. I’m so excited about where this team can go and I’m really excited to take the fans on that journey with us.”
How do I get tickets for games?
You should consult each country’s association website for match ticket information. Availability will vary greatly depending on the event you are hoping to get tickets for.
What are England’s Six Nations fixtures?
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3 February – Italy v England (Stadio Olympico)
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10 February – England v Wales (Twickenham)
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24 February – Scotland v England (Murrayfield)
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9 March – England v Ireland (Twickenham)
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16 March – France v England (Group Stage, Lyon)
Who are the favorites to win the 2024 Six Nations?
Ireland and France appear to be the bookies’ favorites but if each loses a squad, England’s price could be worth it. Scotland, Wales and Italy are not much favoured.
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France to win: 5/4
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Ireland to win: 13/8
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England to win: 11/2
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Scotland to win: 12/1
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Wales to win: 18/1
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Italy to win: 250/1
Rights on January 30, 2023
