Josh McNally and Ben Loader have been named in England’s 31-man training squad, which will train in Brighton next week ahead of the tour to South Africa and the Quilter Cup match against the Barbarians on Sunday 27 May at Twickenham Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

McNally has been in superb form for the Exiles since his return to the side following a lengthy spell on the sideline, the second-row scoring three tries in the process.

Meanwhile, exciting prospect Loader dotted down on his Premiership debut against Bath at the weekend, with the Berkshire-born flyer keen to get more game time under his belt next season as Irish plot an immediate return to English rugby’s top table.  

England head coach Eddie Jones said: “Our tour to South Africa will be the most exciting challenge for us as a group since 2016. We have an opportunity to create some history next month and win the Test series, something no England side has done before.
 
“There are a number of players out injured or not selected so it provides a big opportunity for others.
 
“With three weeks to prepare for the first Test in Johannesburg I am expecting players to come into camp with the right mind-set and we will be looking for them to break the mould in terms of being more assertive and on the front foot in everything we do.
 
“We will need to be physically aggressive and tactically smart against the Springboks who we know will be combative and reinvigorated by their new coaching setup.”

Following the conclusion of the Premiership semi-finals next weekend, a final training squad will be confirmed to prepare for the Barbarians match.
 
England will play South Africa in three Tests in Johannesburg (9 June), Bloemfontein (16 June) and Cape Town (23 June). All matches kick off at 5.05pm local time (4.05pm BST).
 
Scott Wisemantel will join Jones’ coaching staff for the tour to South Africa as an attack consultant. The 48-year-old Australian was recently backs coach for Top 14 club Montpellier working with Jake White.  
 
Tickets for the Quilter Cup start at £25 for adults, £10 for children and are available at www.englandrugby.com/tickets
 
England squad for South Africa Tour
 
Backs
 
Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Nathan Earle (Saracens) *
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
 
Inside backs
Danny Cipriani (Wasps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *
Dan Robson (Wasps) *
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Spencer (Saracens) *
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
 
Forwards
 
Back five
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Ben Earl (Saracens) *
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)  
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Brad Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps) *
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Jack Willis (Wasps) *
Mark Wilson (Newcastle)
 
Front row
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
 
Uncapped *         
 
Not considered for selection
 
Backs
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)      
Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)  
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)       
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)    
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)    
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)                                        
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)    
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
 
Forwards
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)   
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)  
James Haskell (Wasps)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
George Kruis (Saracens)     
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)                                                                
Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors)
Sam Underhill (Wasps)
 
England training squad, Brighton (week commencing 14 May)
 
Backs
 
Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish) *
Ben Loader (London Irish)*
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Jason Woodward (Gloucester Rugby)*
 
Inside backs
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints)
Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors) *
Cameron Redpath (Sale Sharks) *
Marcus Smith (Harlequins) *
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Ben Vellacot (Gloucester Rugby) *
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
 
Forwards
 
Back five
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks) *
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby) *
Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)
Josh McNally (London Irish)*
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Jono Ross (Sale Sharks)*
Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby) *
 
Front row
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers)*
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby) *
Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors) *
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors) *

Ad Space