Maro Itoje has returned to England's rugby set-up, being named in Steve Borthwick's 36-man training squad for this autumn's Nations Championship, after opting to skip the July tour matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina to take an extended break. The lock's return is significant given England's underwhelming Six Nations campaign, which he led through personal hardship following his mother's death, and he has said he has benefited from the time away from the game.

Itoje, 31, is expected to reclaim the England captaincy from Jamie George when the side face Australia on 8 November, ahead of further fixtures against Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November. Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant, both newly available again after returning from French clubs Brive and Stade Français, have been left out and told to prove their form in the Premiership first, while injured duo George (groin) and Ollie Chessum (foot) will still join the squad despite their fitness issues.