VIDEO: Retired prop and Kiwi scrumhalf in England squad
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England coach Eddie Jones has named 35 players that will assemble at Lensbury on Sunday (July 7) for their first official World Cup training camp.
Veteran prop Joe Marler has come out of retirement and made the cut for the England World Cup squad.
Joe Marler (Harlequins) is named after making himself available for selection.
The 29-year-old prop retired from international in last September having played 59 Tests for England.
“I saw Joe during the Barbarians’ week and he indicated that he had a desire to come back,” Jones said.
“We have since had a couple of chats and we have given him the opportunity to do that.
“Now it is up to him to show us what he has got.”
Jones has included four uncapped players in the group.
Gloucester’s scrumhalf and captain Willi Heinz is joined by former England U20 forward Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), former England Sevens player and Olympic silver medallist Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath) and Saracens’ new signing Jack Singleton.
Premiership finalists Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens) and Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) return to the England setup following their off-season.
While not named in the initial 35-man squad, George Kruis (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) and Mako Vunipola (Saracens) will continue their rehabilitation in camp and are still considered for selection.
“We can’t wait to have the full squad in place and to have players competing for those 31 places,” Jones said.
“It is a process of building the team up, building the cohesion, the tactical understanding of the team and our adaptability.
“We will need to get those things right to win the World Cup, and that is our aim.”
On his selection decisions, Jones said: “World Cup selection is a four-year process.
“We have looked at the squad carefully, tried to build up a squad that has enough experience, attitude and energy to be winners and I think we have that.
“In the process, we have left out some players who can feel unlucky. For those guys who have missed out, the door is never closed but they have just got to be ready, as you never know when the opportunity comes.”
Following two weeks of England training camps, Jones added: “The last two camps have been a head start for us. It has allowed the guys who didn’t play in the semi-finals or final to get some good conditioning work in and also some fundamental skill work so we expect them to set a high standard when the rest of the squad join us on July 7.
“The players have come in the best physical condition I have ever seen an England squad. The attitude of the players is that they are excited and hungry, they want to do well for themselves, their family and for their country.”
With England’s first official training camp starting on Sunday Jones said: “For the fans, it is the start of the journey so we want you to be with us; we are all in this together. We are looking forward to seeing your support.”
England will play Wales (August 11) and Ireland (August 24) at Twickenham Stadium and Italy (September 6) in Newcastle – as well as an away fixture against Wales (August 17) in Cardiff.
England will travel to Treviso, Italy for a heat camp from July 22 until August 2, before returning to Italy on August 28 until September 5.
The squad will also be based in Bristol for a week in July (14 to 18) and in August (12 to 16) ahead of England’s away match against Wales.
For the two matches against Wales and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, the squad will train at Pennyhill Park.
England will begin their World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (September 22), before playing the United States in Kobe (September 26), Argentina in Tokyo (October 5) and France in Yokohama (October 12).
England World Cup training squad
Forwards: Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.
Backs: Danny Cipriani, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Piers Francis, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Ruaridh McConnochie, Henry Slade, Ben Spencer, Ben Te’o, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
In camp for rehabilitation: George Kruis, Jack Nowell, Mako Vunipola.
