England rugby squad: Captain Maro Itoje returns but Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant made to wait after Prem returns

Maro Itoje has been named in England's first squad since the summer tour but Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant must prove themselves for Sale before being recalled.

Itoje was rested for the Nations Championship games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina but features in a 36-man group that will begin preparations for the autumn with a three-day camp starting on Sunday.

The Saracens second row is expected to resume as captain for the opener against Australia at Allianz Stadium on November 8, taking over from Jamie George who deputised in July.

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Lawes and Marchant have become available for selection since returning from French clubs Brive and Stade Francais, respectively, after their moves across the Channel put their England careers on hold.

However, it is understood head coach Steve Borthwick wants to see how they bed back into the Gallagher Prem before deciding whether to include them in future squads.

Both players were part of the 2023 World Cup squad, with Lawes' progress of particular interest given the experience and leadership he would bring to an England set-up that needs those assets.

Highly-rated prop Fin Baxter is back after a series of foot problems kept him out since December while exciting rookies Archie McParland and Kepueli Tuipulotu are included.

Scrum-half McParland looked set to tour during the summer only for a nasty leg wound sustained in Northampton's victory over Exeter in the Prem final to rule him out.

Alex Mitchell (hamstring) and Ben Spencer (shoulder) are more established options at half-back but both are rehabbing with their clubs, giving McParland the chance to impress Borthwick.

Max Ojomoh (calf) and Noah Clauori (wrist) are unavailable, while Tom Roebuck's selection for Sale on Sunday prevents him from being involved.

George and Ollie Chessum have joined up with England but are receiving treatment for respective groin and foot problems.

England training squad

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), George Martin (Saracens), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Kepueli Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Backs: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Tobias Elliott (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Harlequins), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Archie McParland (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

England welcome Australia to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday November 8 in round four of the Nations Championship before taking on Japan and New Zealand.

Watch the fourth and final Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Baltimore, USA, live on Sky Sports Action from 10pm on Saturday

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