Test stars to spice up Premiership
England have released 18 players back to their clubs ahead of Round 14 of the Premiership this weekend.
The starting XV from the game against Scotland at Murrayfield will remain at St George’s Park for training on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
The whole squad will return to Pennyhill Park on Sunday evening to prepare for the Six Nations match against Ireland.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “We have reviewed the Scotland game with the whole squad and, while pleasing in many aspects, we have identified the areas we need to work on.
“There are some inevitable knocks from the weekend but nothing that we anticipate will keep players out of contention for the Ireland game.
“The replacements will return to their Premiership clubs and be available to play this weekend which will give them valuable game time.”
Players returning to Premiership clubs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), David Attwood (Bath), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), George Ford (Bath), Alex Goode (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Anthony Watson (Bath), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Players retained: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Danny Care (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints).
