Steve Borthwick has named Zach Mercer in England’s first training squad in preparation for the Rugby World Cup.
Mercer, who has been plying his trade for Montpellier in the Top 14, qualifies for selection as he will be returning to the Premiership with Gloucester next season.
The 28-man squad met on Monday, June 12 in Bagshot to begin preparation for the global showpiece which does not include any players from the Premiership semi-finalists; Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks and Saracens.
The squad includes four London Irish players in Henry Arundell, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Will Joseph and Tom Pearson, all of whom opted to be listed under the club’s name despite recently going into administration.
Experience present
Veteran Harlequins duo Joe Marler and Danny Care are named in the squad, as is Bath’s Ben Spencer and exciting Gloucester star Val Rapava-Ruskin.
Meanwhile, Joe Launchbury was not considered due to a minor injury while Sam Simmonds ruled himself out of World Cup contention in a recent conversation with Borthwick.
The coach cannot wait to get going with the initial stages of preparation for the massive event later this year.
“We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations,” said Borthwick. “The World Cup is full of top-quality teams and high-quality players, and we’re relishing the challenge in front of us. That all starts today at Pennyhill Park.
“We have lots to get through before our first Summer Series fixture in August against Wales in Cardiff, so the hard work starts now. We are looking forward to it.”
Billy Vunipola, Ollie Chessum and Luke Cowan-Dickie will will be in attendance as they continue recovering from their injuries.
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The final Rugby World Cup squad will be announced on August 7.
England’s 28-player training squad
Forwards: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Ted Hill (Bath Rugby), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Zach Mercer (Montpellier Hérault Rugby), Beno Obano (Bath Rugby), Tom Pearson (London Irish), Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Jack Walker (Harlequins)
Backs: Henry Arundell (London Irish), Danny Care (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Will Joseph (London Irish), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)
Warm-up fixtures
Saturday, August 5 – Wales v England (Principality Stadium)
Saturday, August 12 – England v Wales (Twickenham Stadium)
Saturday, August 19 – Ireland v England (Aviva Stadium)
Saturday, August 26 – England v Fiji (Twickenham Stadium)