Centre Manu Tuilagi has been included in England’s initial 36-man squad preparing to face Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on 24 February.
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Tuilagi, 32, has recovered from a groin injury and is joined by hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and lock George Martin.
Fly-half Marcus Smith and centre Ollie Lawrence will also join the squad as they continue their rehabilitation.
However, hooker Jamie Blamire, flanker Tom Pearson and utility back Oscar Beard drop out.
In a strategic move, two notable omissions from the squad are flanker Lewis Ludlam, number eight Billy Vunipola and prop Kyle Sinckler.
Rumour has it that Head Coach Borthwick has shifted focus from two aging stars, who have disclosed their plans for the upcoming season.
Kyle Sinckler
MailOnline report that the 30-year-old is in the final stages of agreeing a deal with the Top 14 club, after the prop flew to Toulon last week to undergo a medical.
Sinckler joined Bristol Bears in July 2020. The tighthead prop represented the Lions for the second successive tour after being called up to Warren Gatland’s squad for the 2021 tour of South Africa.
The powerhouse prop, who joined from Harlequins, has 68 caps for England and represented his country at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Sinckler featured in all three tests on the Lions’ tour to New Zealand in 2017 and is one of World Rugby’s leading stars.
Billy Vunipola
Speculations are rife as reports indicate that Billy Vunipola is engaged in discussions with Suntory Sungoliath regarding a potential move to Japan. The formidable No. 8 is contemplating whether to extend his stay with Saracens or pursue a lucrative opportunity in the Far East.
This isn’t the first time the 31-year-old has been associated with the Tokyo-based team in Japan’s rapidly growing League One. Previously, Vunipola opted to remain with the Premiership champions, signing a contract extension.
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Highest-paid rugby players:
Breaking records and raising eyebrows, these players are leading the charge in the financial stakes of rugby union. Here’s the rundown of the top earners in the game according to The Scotsman:
Siya Kolisi – £850,000
The South African skipper boasts an impressive resume with two Rugby World Cup triumphs and a commendable third-place finish. At French powerhouse Racing 92, Kolisi has been commanding a salary of £850,000, but with the recent arrival of Owen Farrell, he might be eyeing a bump in his paycheck.
Faf De Klerk – £900,000
De Klerk, another key figure in South Africa’s World Cup-winning squad, has made his mark in Japan. Playing for the Yokohama Canon Eagles, he’s banking a cool £900,000 annually, showcasing the global appeal of rugby’s top talents.
