England coach Eddie Jones, restricted in his options by the ongoing Premiership season, has included 12 uncapped players in an initial 28-man training squad to begin preparations for the delayed Six Nations game away to Italy on Oct. 31.
England will also have a non-cap match against the Barbarians the week before, and later roll into the new Autumn Nations Cup tournament.
The new squad will convene on Tuesday for a three-day training camp at a London hotel.
“Our preparation to build the team for the Italy game starts now,” Jones said in a statement.
“We have a three-day camp this week and another one next week. We’ll be slowly building up, working on the basics and working on team cohesion.”
Jones’ options have been limited by many players still being involved in the Premiership playoffs as well as European finals.
An updated squad will be confirmed ahead of England’s next training camp from Oct. 15-17.
After the Rome trip, where a win could secure the Six Nations title, England face Georgia, Ireland and Wales and then a “decider” against a team from the other Nations Cup pool.
England training squad
Backs
Ali Crossdale, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Nathan Earle, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Piers Francis, George Furbank, Willi Heinz, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Alex Mitchell, Ollie Thorley, Ben Youngs
Forwards
Jack Clement, Alex Dombrandt, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje, Simon Kerrod, Lewis Ludlow, Alex Moon, David Ribbans, Jack Singleton, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Mark Wilson