Marcus Smith named in latest 36-strong England squad

England manager Steve Borthwick has kept his promise to Marcus Smith and called up the second half of the squad for next weekend’s fourth Guinness Six Nations clash against France in Twickenham. Smith’s exclusion from last week’s 26-man training squad – and the addition of George Ford in his place – raised many eyebrows last Tuesday when that decision was publicly confirmed.

At the time, however, Borthwick insisted he would call up Smith in Sunday’s squad to prepare for the French and he has been true to his word.

An RFU statement read: “Steve Borthwick has selected a 36-man squad for England’s game against France in the Guinness Six Nations.

“The squad met today at the Honda England Rugby Performance Center at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, as they begin preparations for Saturday’s game at Twickenham Stadium. There is a return to the squad for Joe Heyes.”

Squad England (vs France, Saturday)

FORWARD

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 98 caps)

Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 3 capsules)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 12 internationals)

Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)

Ben Earl (Saracen, 15 caps)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 75 caps)

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)

Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 10 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracen, 65 caps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)

David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)

Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracen, 77 caps)

Jack Walker (Harlequins, 2 caps)

Jack Willis (Toulouse, 8 internationals)

MOVE

Henry Arundell (London Irishman, 5 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 104 caps)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)

George Ford (Sale Sharks, 81 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)

Max Malins (Saracens, 17 internationals)

Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 14 caps)

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)

Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncovered)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 54 caps)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 20 internationals)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)

Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 50 Capsules)

Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)

Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 53 caps)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)