A succession of injuries and suspensions – including to star players Billy Vunipola, Elliot Daly and Nathan Hughes – have forced Eddie Jones to bring in a host of new faces.
Saracens wing Nathan Earle, Northampton centre Harry Mallinder and Harlequins full-back Marcus Smith are the rookie backs included, while Exeter prop Alec Hepburn, Harlequins prop Lewis Boyce, Newcastle flanker Graham, Bath back row Zach Mercer and Bath hooker Tom Dunn make up the new faces in the forwards.
The squad, which is absent of big-name omissions other than those who are unavailable, will travel to Portugal on Sunday to begin a week-long camp as build up to the trip to Rome on 4 February.
Graham, who played for Scotland’s U20s before arriving at St Peter, appears to have switched allegiances ahead of the annual international tournament, although he will only be committed to England once he has played. His father, George, won 25 Scottish caps.
‘I’ve selected the strongest available squad to prepare for our opening match against Italy,’ said Jones, who on Wednesday signed a contract extension until 2021.
