England Six Nations: Billy Vunipola, Jonny May & Jack Nowell omitted by Steve Borthwick

Left to right: Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell
Billy Vunipola (left), Jonny May (centre) and Jack Nowell (right) played 180 Tests against each other for England

Number eight Billy Vunipola has been left out of new head coach Steve Borthwick’s 36-man England squad for the Six Nations.

Other high profile omissions include experienced wings Jonny May and Jack Nowell.

Meanwhile, Borthwick has recalled 95-cap veteran Dan Cole, 35, who last played for England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

Northampton fly-half Fin Smith is one of five uncapped players in the squad.

London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins, Gloucester prostitute George McGuigan and Harlequin pair Cadan Murley and Jack Walker are the four other new acts.

“This is an exciting squad, with a mix of Six Nations experience and young talent, and includes players who are in excellent form in the Premiership,” Borthwick said.

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England’s Six Nations squad

Forward: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, George McGuigan, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler , Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.

Back: Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Dan Kelly, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Ben Youngs .

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Borthwick, who was appointed on December 19 after Eddie Jones was sacked after a run of five wins in 12 Tests in 2022, he added: “We are all looking forward to the challenges of the Six Nations and will approach this great tournament with a spirit of courage and full commitment.

“I know the players can’t wait to get back to Twickenham and give our fans a performance they can be proud of.

“The hard work for the Scotland game starts now.”

Borthwick confirmed that Owen Farrell will captain England for the tournament, while Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes, who is returning from injury, have been named as co-captains.

The former Leicester head coach also says he has been told in no uncertain terms by the RFU’s legal department that Farrell will be available for the first game against Scotland, despite the controversy surrounding the terms of his suspension after being cited for head contact with Gloucester striker Jack Clement.

Forwards Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt and Nick Isiekwe return to England, as do backs Elliot Daly, Dan Kelly, Max Malins and Joe Marchant.

England begin their campaign away to Murrayfield on February 4, before facing Italy at Twickenham on February 12.

A trip to Wales follows on February 25, before a home game against the 2022 champions France on March 11. They then finish with a trip to Dublin to face Ireland on March 18.

The Six Nations precedes the World Cup, which starts in France on September 8.

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