Steve Borthwick Announces England Rugby Squad for Autumn Nations Series

England Rugby head coach Steve Borthwick has unveiled the 36-player squad for the upcoming three-day training camp, marking the start of preparations for the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. Eight players from Northampton Saints have been named in the squad, highlighting the club’s significant representation.

The squad will convene at the Honda Performance Centre, Pennyhill Park, and train at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The gathering is scheduled for Monday, October 7, as they build towards their opening match against New Zealand on November 2.

“After watching a competitive and high scoring start to the Premiership season, I am once again looking forward to gathering the players together,” stated Borthwick. “This training camp is an important part of our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series as we continue to build on the cohesion we’ve developed over the past two campaigns.”

Among the Northampton Saints players included are club captain Lewis Ludlam, wings Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme, fly-half Fin Smith, centre Fraser Dingwall, and lock Alex Coles. They will be joined by tighthead prop Trevor Davison and back rower Tom Pearson, both making returns to the England setup.

Notably, 32-year-old Trevor Davison reenters the international fold after earning two caps under former coach Eddie Jones in 2021. Meanwhile, Tom Pearson, who debuted against Wales in 2023, joins after representing England A against Argentina last term.

The Autumn Nations Series will see England face powerhouses such as Australia, South Africa, and Japan, following their opener against New Zealand. “The squad reflects the depth and quality we have in English rugby, and we are looking forward to working with the players ahead of what will be a highly competitive series,” added Borthwick.

The players under rehabilitation include Henry Slade from Exeter Chiefs, Alex Dombrandt from Harlequins, and Luke Northmore also from Harlequins. Some players not considered for selection are Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Curry, and Tom Curry, among others.

The squad lists significant names like Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler, Marcus Smith, Elliot Daly, and others, displaying a robust lineup expected to face challenging opponents in the forthcoming matches.