England coach Eddie Jones has named four uncapped players in his squad for the autumn internationals, while leaving out a number of big names.

Sale scrum-half Raffi Quirke, Northampton back Tommy Freeman - both 20 - Gloucester centre Mark Atkinson and Leicester hooker Nic Dolly are the new faces in the 34-man party.

However, there is no place for 50-cap stars Mako and Billy Vunipola, George Ford or Jamie George.

Harlequins outside-half Marcus Smith is included, while Owen Farrell has been confirmed as captain.

Bristol’s Welsh-raised scrum-half Harry Randall - who won his first caps in the summer - is on board, along with former Cardiff Met forward Alex Dombrandt, who has been in tremendous form for Harlequins.

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Maro Itoje and Anthony Watson have all been named despite injury scares on the weekend.

England face games against Tonga (Nov 6), Australia (Nov 13) and world champions South Africa (Nov 20).

“This is a young but very good, talented squad who have all earned their places,” said head coach Eddie Jones.

“It is one of the most competitive squads I have ever picked.”

England squad

Forwards: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle), Callum Chick (Newcastle), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Tom Curry (Sale), Trevor Davison (Newcastle), Nic Dolly (Leicester), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Jonny Hill (Exeter), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).

Backs: Mark Atkinson (Gloucester), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Max Malins (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Adam Radwan (Newcastle), Harry Randall (Bristol), Henry Slade (Exeter), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Manu Tuilagi (Sale), Anthony Watson (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester)

Faf to miss autumn internationals

Wales will not be facing South African superstar Faf de Klerk this autumn as he is facing some five months out.

The World Cup-winning Springboks scrum-half initially suffered a hip injury during the Lions series and then aggravated in the Rugby Championship.

The Daily Mail is reporting the problem is so severe he requires surgery which could keep him out until March next year.

Wales will take on South Africa at the Principality Stadium on November 6, with Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies now likely to contest the No 9 position for the ‘Boks.

The 30-year-old De Klerk went off with his hip problem during the second Lions Test in July, missing the series decider.

Faf de Klerk of South Africa looks on as his side are beaten by Australia
Faf de Klerk of South Africa

He was then able to play twice against both Australia and New Zealand September and October.

But on his return to England to link up with his club Sale, it was discovered his injury had not gone away, with scans confirming the worst.

All Blacks pay tribute to Sean Wainui

Sean Wainui's Chiefs team-mates Brad Weber and Anton Lienert-Brown shared emotional tributes from America, where they are touring with the All Blacks, following news of his tragic death.

The 25-year-old, who had two children, was killed after a vehicle crashed into a tree at McLaren Falls Park near Tauranga on New Zealand's North Island.

Wainui, who played for Warren Gatland's Chiefs side, was the only person in the car.

"Can't quite put into words how much this one hurts. Always said publicly that Sean deserves everything he gets because he works so hard for it. But he doesn't deserve this. That first day back at Chiefs HQ next season is gonna hurt walking in and not seeing you there brother. RIP," Weber wrote on Twitter.

"A warrior on the field and one of the great humans off it. My heart hurts. You'll be missed massively but never forgotten my brother," Lienert-Brown said on Instagram.

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Youngs takes indefinite leave

England and Lions star Tom Youngs has taken indefinite leave from Leicester Tigers to care for his wife Tiffany, who is battling an illness.

The 34-year-old hooker, who has played in 31 Tests, hasn’t featured for his club this season and was recently declared “unavailable for selection” by head coach Steve Borthwick.

It’s a situation which has now been clarified in the following statement from the Welford Road club about their former captain.

“Leicester Tigers can confirm Tom Youngs has taken indefinite leave from the club.

“The Tigers hooker was granted leave ahead of the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership season and is yet to appear in the 2021/22 league campaign.

“Youngs has returned to his family home in Norfolk to care for his wife Tiffany, who is battling an illness.

“Tigers are offering support in all forms to Tom and the Youngs family during this period.

“The period of leave will remain indefinite for Tom, as long as the Tigers forward feels necessary to remain in Norfolk.

“At this time, the Youngs family have requested privacy and there will be no further comment from Tom, the Youngs family or Leicester Tigers on this matter.”

Young’s wife was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, shortly after giving birth to her daughter Maisie in 2014.

Tom pulled out of England’s tour of New Zealand that year to care for her, while his younger brother Ben, the Leicester scrum-half, withdrew from the Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017 because of her serious health situation.

After chemotherapy was not successful, Tiffany underwent a number of stem cell transplants and clinical trials before being told she had between four weeks and one year to live.

Ten months after that diagnosis, having researched alternative therapies, taking cannabis oil and changing her diet with the help of a nutritionist, she was declared cancer free.

'Phenomenal' Ford deals with snub

Leicester boss Steve Borthwick has hailed George Ford as "a phenomenal professional" after he was overlooked for England's Autumn Nations Series squad.

The Tigers fly-half has proved a driving force behind Leicester's domination of the Gallagher Premiership this season.

Leicester are currently seven points clear at the top, having recorded five successive victories and made their best start to a Premiership campaign since the competition began 24 years ago.

Ford, who has won 77 caps during an England career that began in 2014, is also the Premiership's top points-scorer this term.

But the 28-year-old has failed to find favour with England head coach Eddie Jones ahead of Twickenham Tests next month against Tonga, Australia and South Africa, missing out on a place in Jones' 34-man group.

Borthwick said: "You can see how well George is playing, how sharp he is looking.

"He has been playing really, really well. He has got to continue to play well, it's as simple as that, to put the best case forward for selection.

"Speaking to him just now, I think the guy is a phenomenal professional and a brilliant leader within this team.

"I know he will be determined to just keep helping this team, because he is that kind of character.

"If our players follow even a fraction of the determination George Ford has, we will do very well.

"Eddie communicates regularly with me, I communicate regularly with Eddie. That has always been the case since I took this job. We chat regularly."