Henry Arundell has moved a step closer to a quickfire Test return after being retained in England’s 29-man squad to prepare for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham.
The London Irish star has had just a 30-minute cameo on his return from a foot problem that kept him out of England’s autumn campaign.
The 20-year-old appeared sharp in that replacement showing in Irish’s 42-24 victory over Harlequins, and that combined with his raw finishing power has propelled him back into Steve Borthwick’s England ranks.
Arundell has made the cut ahead of Leicester’s fit-again back-three star Anthony Watson.
Toulouse flanker Jack Willis has forced his way into the retained group, ahead of Sale’s Ben Curry, who has been released despite starting Saturday’s 29-23 defeat by Scotland.
Veteran scrum-half Ben Youngs has been omitted too, with Northampton’s one-cap half-back Alex Mitchell stepping into the squad and primed to feature against the Azzurri. Props Joe Heyes and Bevan Rodd, lock Jonny Hill and back-row forward Sam Simmonds have also been released.
England’s 29-man retained squad
Forwards: O Chessum, D Cole, A Dombrandt, T Dunn, B Earl, E Genge, J George, N Isiekwe, M Itoje, L Ludlam, D Ribbans, K Sinckler, M Vunipola, J Walker, J Willis
Backs: H Arundell, O Farrell, T Freeman, O Hassell-Collins, O Lawrence, M Malins, J Marchant, A Mitchell, H Slade, F Smith, M Smith, F Steward, M Tuilagi, J Van Poortvliet
