Head coach Steve Borthwick has decided to reduce his England Rugby World Cup training by two after axing Bevan Rodd and Sam Underhill.
The Red Rose have announced an updated group of 39 players, which does not include Underhill or Rodd.
The former was a star at the last World Cup, playing a key role in their run to the final, where they eventually lost 32-12 to South Africa.
Dual openside combination
Underhill combined superbly with Tom Curry and particularly impressed in the last-four victory over New Zealand, where his big hits continually sent the All Blacks into reverse.
However, he has struggled for both form and fitness following the World Cup in Japan, and has not featured for England since the 2022 tour to Australia.
Injury hampered him at the start of the 2022/2023 campaign but he returned to action against Exeter Chiefs on Christmas Eve and played seven more times after that.
Given his lack of game time, he was a surprise inclusion in the initial wider training squad, and the 26-year-old has not done enough to impress Borthwick.
Underhill is joined by Rodd in heading home. The Sale Shark was a late inclusion in the group due to his mandatory rest period having featured in the Premiership final.
He has been in and around the Red Rose squads over the past 18 months but has only earned two caps and loses out because of the intense competition at prop.
Borthwick has a plethora of options at his disposal at loosehead and he has decided to keep Ellis Genge, Joe Marler and Val Rapava-Ruskin in camp.
Meanwhile, Mako Vunipola stays as he continues his recovery from injury, alongside brother Billy, lock Ollie Chessum, centre Ollie Lawrence and hooker Jack Walker.
England’s 39-man training squad
Forwards: Jamie Blamire, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, Tom Pearson, Val Rapava-Ruskin, David Ribbans, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Jack Willis, Tom Willis
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Cadan Murley, Guy Porter, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs
Rehabilitation: Ollie Chessum, Ollie Lawrence, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker
READ MORE: WATCH: RAPID England hooker burns scrum-half to score a 40m stunner
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