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Injuries force Jones's hand

The England coach, Jones, selected a 34-man squad to take part in a New Year training camp – starting Sunday.

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"Following injuries sustained at the weekend, Charlie Ewels (hamstring), Piers Francis (concussion), Jonathan Joseph (dead leg), Jack Nowell (ankle) and Harry Williams (concussion) will not join up with England for their training camp today [Sunday],"Jones said in a statement.

"Henry Thomas (Bath) and Joe Cockanisinga (London Irish) have been called up into the squad for the two-day camp in Brighton."

The camp will be used to begin preparations for England's opening match of the Six Nations, against Italy on February 4 in Rome.

Twenty-three-year-old prop Beno Obano (Bath) and Newcastle Falcon's openside flank Gary Graham receive their first call ups into the England squad.

"This camp in Brighton is important for us to set the tone as a squad ahead of the Six Nations," Jones said.

"We will need to improve if we are to hunt down our opponents and beat them. This tournament will be exciting and challenging, as we know we will play against some very strong teams.

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"Brighton will provide a great base to begin our preparations with players coming away with a clear plan for our opening match of the campaign against Italy."

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) will miss the camp for personal reasons.

England squad:

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Anthony Watson (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

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Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Zach Mercer (Bath), Beno Obano (Bath), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) .

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