Henry Slade and Tom Curry Return as Alex Mitchell Misses Out on England’s Autumn Squad

Centre Henry Slade and flanker Tom Curry have returned from injury to be included in England’s 36-man squad for the autumn internationals, while first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell is sidelined with a neck injury.

Slade, who had shoulder surgery after the summer tour of New Zealand, has yet to feature for Exeter this season, but is fit to rejoin the squad. Tom Curry also returns after recovering from a concussion sustained earlier in the season during Sale’s win over Newcastle.

Mitchell’s absence sees Ben Spencer, Jack van Poortvliet, and Harry Randall named as the scrum-halves for the upcoming internationals.

Other notable inclusions are Sale’s George Ford, who will continue his rehabilitation from a torn quad muscle, and Saracens’ Alex Lozowski, who returns to the squad after a six-year absence. Harlequins’ Luke Northmore steps in for the injured Fraser Dingwall.

Despite his strong form, back-rower Tom Willis has not been included, while Tom Curry’s twin brother Ben Curry makes the cut, as does Harlequins’ number eight Alex Dombrandt, who is returning from a broken hand.

England’s autumn campaign kicks off against New Zealand on 2 November, followed by matches against Australia, South Africa, and Japan. Head coach Steve Borthwick sees the opener against the All Blacks as a vital test for his side, describing it as “a tremendous opportunity for us to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.”

This series will also mark the debut of England’s new defence coach, Joe El-Abd, following Felix Jones’ departure in September.

England’s 36-player squad:

Forwards
Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).

Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).

Rehabilitation:
George Ford (Sale).

Not considered for selection due to injury:
Alex Coles (Northampton), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Will Muir (Bath), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale).