Saracens wing Chris Ashton has been dropped from Stuart Lancaster’s England squad for the End Of Year Tours (November Internationals).
Ashton has been replaced in the squad by Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni, one of three uncapped players named in the 33-man squad on Wednesday.
England play against New Zealand ( 8November), South Africa (15 November), Samoa (22 November) and Australia (29 November).
Chris Robshaw will captain the side in the four-game series at Twickenham.
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The group also features Saracens lock George Kruis and Northampton Saints flank Calum Clark and will meet up at Pennyhill Park on Sunday 26 October, to prepare for the opening clash with the All Blacks .
Centre Jonathan Joseph is included with Manu Tuilagi injured, and swells the number of in-form Bath representatives to seven.
George Ford is among those from the West Country club as one of three options at flyhalf alongside Owen Farrell and Stephen Myler.
England coach Stuart Lancaster said the first six rounds of the Premiership and opening round of European Cup action gave him plenty to think about.
“A lot of players have put their hand up for selection and we are excited by the options available to us,” Lancaster said.
“We are still monitoring a number of players injury-wise and with another intensive round of European games to come, including the Wasps-Harlequins and Sale-Clermont games on Sunday, there are likely to be additions to the squad after the weekend as we move into the training camp and towards the games – so there is plenty to be decided before the New Zealand match comes around.
“We have four quality sides coming to Twickenham for these internationals and we are really looking forward to playing at home in front of our passionate supporters as we continue the build up to the World Cup in 12 months’ time.”
Having recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of the tour to New Zealand, young Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell returns to the fold, while back row forwards James Haskell (Wasps) and Ben Morgan (Gloucester) are also rewarded for fine domestic form.
Harlequins’ Robshaw has captained England in 27 of their last 30 Tests and Lancaster added: “Chris continues to lead from the front and with other players now stepping up into captaincy and senior roles at their clubs, we are building a team of leaders who can take England forward.
“There are a number of players unavailable for this series because of long term injury [listed below], but they are all on the road to recovery and as always, it gives the opportunity for others to come in and stake their claim.
“We have included Jonathan [Joseph] as an injury replacement for Manu. It is obviously disappointing to lose Manu [Tuilagi] but JJ [Jonathan Joseph] has been in great form and deserves this chance. Our medics will continue to work closely Leicester’s and ensure that Manu is supported in his rehabilitation from his injury.”
Other players who are not be available for year-end Tests include Alex Corbisiero (shoulder), Dan Cole (neck), Tom Croft (knee), Tom Johnson (neck), Geoff Parling (concussion), Chris Pennell (groin), Ed Slater (knee), Mako Vunipola (knee), Tom Youngs (shoulder).
England squad:
Forwards:
Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons), David Wilson (Bath), Dylan, Hartley (Northampton Saints), Rob Webber (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints).
Backs:
Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).