England v South Africa: Mike Brown dropped for Springbok Test
- From the section Rugby Union
| England v South Africa |
|---|
| Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday 3 November Time: 15:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, the BBC Sport website and app; watch highlights on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and online from 19:30 GMT. |
Experienced back Mike Brown has been left out of the England squad for Saturday's match with South Africa at Twickenham.
Brown, 33, is not part of a 25-man group retained in camp in Portugal and will return home on Tuesday evening.
Number eight Ben Morgan has also been released, leaving Bath's Zach Mercer in position to make his England debut against the Springboks.
Lock Courtney Lawes has been ruled out with a niggling back problem.
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Brown, who has 72 caps, has been an ever-present over the past few years under head coach Eddie Jones, starting all three Test matches against South Africa in June.
His absence means Elliot Daly is likely to start at full-back, with Jonny May and Jack Nowell on the wings.
Chris Ashton, back in English rugby with Sale after a spell at Toulon, has also been retained, and is set for his first England appearance since June 2014.
| England's autumn internationals | |
|---|---|
| 3 November | South Africa |
| 10 November | New Zealand |
| 17 November | Japan |
| 24 November | Australia |
Lawes will remain in Portugal for rehabilitation on his injury, but has not been considered for selection.
"He's a top quality player, and we know that, he's been brilliant over this last period of time," said England forwards coach Steve Borthwick.
"But we have got options."
Bath's uncapped wing Joe Cokanasiga has been released along with Saracens pair Alex Lozowski and Richard Wigglesworth.
In the forwards, Saracens back row Michael Rhodes, Bath flanker Sam Underhill and Worcester prop Nick Schonert are also out of contention.
Schonert's 19-year-old club team-mate Ted Hill - who was in the training camp as an apprentice - has also been released.
England squad to face South Africa:
Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) co-captain, Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens) co-captain, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
