England cut squad to 25, omit two starters from pack vs Georgia

England have retained a 25-strong squad in camp ahead of next Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup clash with Ireland, but there will definitely be two changes from the starting pack versus Georgia as Jack Willis and Charlie Ewels have both been excluded. 

There is one other omission from the 23 that faced Georgia in the 40-0 opening round win at Twickenham, replacement Joe Marchant not in the running for selection although he has remained in camp along with Joe Marler as an extra.  

An RFU statement issued on Tuesday evening read: "Joe Marchant (rehabilitation) and Joe Marler (reconditioning) will stay with the squad at England’s training base, The Lensbury in Teddington. Mark Wilson has returned home to continue his rehabilitation."

The rested Sam Underhill is back in the squad at the expense of Willis, while Lewis Ludlam could also make a first appearance since the February Six Nations win over Scotland.

Earlier, attack coach Simon Amor said that Jonathan Joseph, their main injury worry coming out of the Nations Cup win over the Georgians, was progressing positively after he suffered back spasm while in the process of setting up an England try for Elliot Daly.

The 29-year-old Bath centre-turned-wing had responded well to treatment and could be ready in time for the visit of Andy Farrell’s Ireland. “Jonathan is recovering nicely, so hopefully he’ll be in contention for this weekend, which is good for us,” said Amor, who also updated the prognosis on George Ford following his recent lay-off.

“George is progressing nicely as well. We’re hoping he will be in contention in some part of this tournament. It’s an achilles injury, which can take some time, but he’s progressing nicely so that’s encouraging. We’re not sure at the moment if he will be back for Saturday, but he is moving in the right direction which is brilliant."

ENGLAND SQUAD (vs Ireland, Saturday)

Backs (11)

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 44 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 85 caps)

George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 69 caps)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 52 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)

Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 58 caps)

Dan Robson (Wasps, 4 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 101 caps)

Forwards (14)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 25 caps)

Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)

Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 51 caps)

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 40 caps)

Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 66 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 37 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 61 caps)