Saracens back Alex Lozowski has been called into Englands autumn training camp after winning his last Test cap almost six years ago (Ben Whitley/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Alex Lozowski is set for a notable England comeback as he joins the Autumn training camp nearly six years since his last game for the national side.
The versatile Saracens back, who earned his fifth and most recent cap in a victory over Japan in November 2018, has been selected as part of a 36-man squad preparing for the Autumn Nations Series at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
Joining him is Luke Cowan-Dickie, back in the frame after missing out on playing under head coach Steve Borthwick, having last appeared for England when Eddie Jones was at the helm in November 2022.
About the diverse and impressive Premiership performances this season, Borthwick shared his excitement for the upcoming gathering: “After watching a competitive and high scoring start to the Premiership season, I am once again looking forward to gathering the players together.”
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is recalled to the England set-up after winning his last cap in November 2022 (Steven Paston/PA) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
He highlighted the importance of the training camp in their build-up to face New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan: “This training camp is an important part of our preparations for the Autumn Nations Series as we continue to build on the cohesion we’ve developed over the past two campaigns.”
Borthwick also praised the breadth of English rugby talent: “The squad reflects the depth and quality we have in English rugby and we are looking forward to working with the players ahead of what will be a highly competitive series.”
England’s last match was in the summer when they conquered Japan but then faced narrow losses against New Zealand.
Fin Baxter, Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Roebuck, who earned their first caps on the previous tour, have been included in the autumn camp. Forwards Ollie Chessum, Trevor Davison, Greg Fisilau, Ellis Genge, Tom Pearson and Tom Willis, as well as Cowan-Dickie, have also received call-ups.
Oscar Beard, Elliot Daly and Jack van Poortvliet are joining Lozowski in the changes to the backs from the summer tour.
Exeter’s centre Henry Slade and Harlequins duo Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore will be attending the England camp for injury rehabilitation.
England has announced that Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir and Max Ojomoh (all Bath), Ben Curry, Tom Curry, George Ford, Raffi Quirke, Bevan Rodd (all Sale) and Alex Mitchell (Northampton) were not considered for selection due to injuries. The squad is set to assemble for training on Monday.
The full squad includes forwards: F Baxter (Harlequins), O Chessum, D Cole (both Leicester), A Coles (Northampton), L Cowan-Dickie (Sale), C Cunningham-South (Harlequins), T Dan (Saracens), T Davison (Northampton), B Earl (Saracens), G Fisilau (Exeter), E Genge (Bristol), J George, M Itoje (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), G Martin (Leicester), T Pearson (Northampton), E Roots (Exeter), W Stuart, S Underhill (both Bath), T Willis (Saracens).
The list of backs includes O Beard (Harlequins), E Daly (Saracens), F Dingwall (Northampton), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), T Freeman, G Furbank (both Northampton), O Lawrence (Bath), A Lozowski (Saracens), H Randall (Bristol), T Roebuck (Sale), O Sleightholme, F Smith (both Northampton), M Smith (Harlequins), B Spencer (Bath), F Steward, J van Poortvliet (both Leicester).