England name Mercer, Care in Rugby World Cup training squad

Zach Mercer and Danny Care have been selected in England's first World Cup training squad, announced by head coach Steve Borthwick on Monday.

No 8 Mercer, who will move to English Premiership club Gloucester from French side Montpellier next season, last played test rugby in 2018.

But Exeter back-row forward Sam Simmonds, signed by Montpellier as Mercer's replacement, has ruled himself out of World Cup selection.

Exeter wing Jack Nowell, who is set to join reigning European champions La Rochelle, also made himself unavailable for the tournament in France.

Mercer's stint in France meant he was not eligible for England selection.

Harlequins scrum-half Care won the last of his 87 England caps on tour in Australia a year ago.

There are also places for Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer in a 28-player group, alongside Bristol scrum-half Harry Randall, Bath flanker Ted Hill, Quins prop Joe Marler and London Irish flanker Tom Pearson.

Irish last week filed for administration following their suspension from all club competitions by the Rugby Football Union.

All four of the club's representatives in the squad – Pearson, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Henry Arundell and Will Joseph – wanted to be listed on the official squad press release as London Irish players.

Former Wasps lock Joe Launchbury was not considered due to a minor injury.

Borthwick's group does not include players from Premiership semifinalists Saracens, Sale, Northampton and Leicester, who are on rest periods.

England face Wales twice, Ireland and Fiji in August before launching their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Marseille on September 9.

The final England World Cup squad of 33 players will be announced on August 7.

Borthwick said: "We are excited to get into camp and begin the first phase of our preparations... we're relishing the challenge in front of us."