Alex Lozowski, the Saracens back, has been selected to join England’s autumn training camp, nearly six years since his last international cap. Lozowski, who has previously earned five England caps, last represented his country in a 35-15 victory against Japan in November 2018. At the age of 31, he is part of a 36-player squad invited to a three-day training camp in preparation for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series matches against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Joining Lozowski in the squad is Luke Cowan-Dickie, who has not played under head coach Steve Borthwick and was last capped in November 2022 during Eddie Jones’s tenure. Borthwick expressed his anticipation for the training camp, highlighting the competitive nature of the Premiership season and the crucial role of the camp in preparing for the Autumn Nations Series. He praised the depth and quality of English rugby reflected in the squad, emphasizing the importance of building on the cohesion developed over the past campaigns.
Despite England’s last matches in the summer resulting in a win against Japan and narrow defeats to New Zealand, new faces have been included in the autumn camp. Players such as Fin Baxter, Ollie Sleightholme, and Tom Roebuck, who earned their first caps in the summer, are part of the squad. Additionally, forwards Ollie Chessum, Trevor Davison, Greg Fisilau, Ellis Genge, Tom Pearson, and Tom Willis, alongside Cowan-Dickie, have received call-ups.
In the backs, newcomers Oscar Beard, Elliot Daly, and Jack van Poortvliet accompany Lozowski, with changes also including the rehabilitation presence of Exeter centre Henry Slade and Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore due to injuries. Notably, certain players were unavailable for selection due to injuries, including Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir, and Max Ojomoh from Bath, and others such as Ben Curry, Tom Curry, and George Ford from Sale.
The squad is set to convene for training on Monday, with a blend of experienced and new talent working towards representing England on the international stage. The inclusion of Lozowski after a significant gap underscores the selectors’ belief in his skills and contribution potential to the national team.