Joe Marchant has been recalled to England's training squad for next month's Nations Championship as Steve Borthwick faces injury disruption to his midfield options.
Marchant receives his first England call-up since the 2023 World Cup after his two-year spell at the Stade Francais ended with his return to the Gallagher Prem with Sale this season, making him available for selection once again.
The 30-year-old is joined in the 36-man group that on Sunday begins preparations for the autumn opener against Australia by Will Joseph, the Gloucester centre whose form has lit up the Prem in the opening four rounds.
Joseph, the younger brother of former England star Jonathan Joseph, made his only Test appearance during the 2022 tour of Australia but will be looking to press his claim in the absence of Seb Atkinson.
Atkinson, who is pencilled in to start against the Wallabies at inside centre, will join the squad at their Surrey base but during this camp will be limited to rehabilitating a knee injury.
Adding to Borthwick's problems in midfield is the concussion sustained by Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who has not played since taking a head knock on club duty for Bristol on Oct. 3.
Marchant, Joseph, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Slade and Max Ojomoh are the fit centres currently available to Borthwick.
Prop Fin Baxter makes his first appearance in an England squad since December having made a successful comeback from a foot injury in Harlequins' Prem victory over Saracens on Sunday.
Courtney Lawes has been unable to force his way into the squad after he also joined Sale following a spell in France but could be involved later in the autumn.
Chandler Cunningham-South is missing because of an ankle problem but Ben Curry and Tom Pearson have been included as back row options.
For now Saracens' Theo Dan has lost his place as third choice hooker behind Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie with Bath's Kepueli Tuipulotu instead given his chance to impress.
Joining Atkinson in rehabilitation are Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (hamstring) and Guy Pepper (knee).
England open the second phase of the Nations Championship against Australia at Allianz Stadium in a fortnight before their campaign continues with fixtures against Japan and New Zealand. Finals weekend completes the month's action.
Forwards: F Baxter (Harlequins), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), A Clark (Gloucester Rugby), A Coles (Northampton Saints), L Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), B Curry (Sale Sharks), T Curry (Sale Sharks), B Earl (Saracens), G Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), J George (Saracens), E Genge (Bristol Bears), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), M Itoje (Saracens), E Iyogun (Northampton Saints), G Martin (Saracens), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), T Pearson (Northampton Saints), H Pollock (Northampton Saints), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), K Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby).
Backs: N Caluori (Saracens), F Dingwall (Northampton Saints), G Ford (Sale Sharks), T Freeman (Northampton Saints), G Furbank (Harlequins), W Joseph (Gloucester Rugby), J Marchant (Sale Sharks), A McParland (Northampton Saints), A Mitchell (Northampton Saints), C Murley (Harlequins), M Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), F Smith (Northampton Saints), M Smith (Harlequins), F Steward (Leicester Tigers), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).
Rehabilitation: S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), G Pepper (Bath Rugby).
