Old rivals.

England co-captain Dylan Hartley will miss their crucial Six Nations opener with Ireland next month after being left out of Eddie Jones’ initial training squad. The hooker has a knee injury and was not considered for selection.

Jones has named a 35-man squad for the opening round with Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola, Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi and Sale Sharks fullback Chris Ashton among the players included.

Former captain Chris Robshaw is still unavailable through injury, as is Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson. Sam Underhill is another notable absentee having been ruled out of the tournament last week with ligament damage.

England squad for Ireland Test

Forwards
Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens) *, Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors) *, Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Backs
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens) captain, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps) *, Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby) *, Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)