Squad Update: England retain 25 players ahead of Italy opener

The group includes three uncapped players with Nathan Earle, Gary Graham and Alec Hepburn named in the 25 ahead of Friday's team announcement.

England are looking to make history by defending their NatWest 6 Nations title for a third consecutive year.

Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens)*, Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

Inside backs
Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Back five
Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons)*, Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Front row
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs) *, Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs).

Uncapped *