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Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi returns to England training squad

Manu Tuilagi hasn't played for England in over a year. David Rogers/Getty Images

Manu Tuilagi has returned to the England squad for their three-day preseason training session this weekend.

Leicester centre Tuilagi has not played for England since the 2016 Six Nations but takes his place alongside uncapped duo Marcus Smith and Tom Dunn.

Nine players who made their debuts during the summer tour of Argentina have been retained, and they are joined by seven players who toured New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions.

Dan Cole, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Jack Nowell, Kyle Sinckler and Anthony Watson will all spend one day at the camp but will not take part in physical training.

According to a statement released by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on Thursday the remaining English Lions players have "opted to remain on their summer break".

"We are at an incredibly important stage with two years to go to the Rugby World Cup in Japan and there is still a big step to make if we want to be the number one team in the world," England coach Eddie Jones said.

"We are going to have to be meticulous in a preparation in everything we do as we build towards Tokyo and that is why this camp is vital ahead of this season."

England training squad:

Forwards: Cole, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dunn, Ewels, Genge, George, Hartley, Hughes, Isiekwe, Itoje, Launchbury, Robshaw, Sinckler, Underhill, Williams, Wilson, Vunipola.

Backs: Brown, Care, Earle, Farrell, Ford, Francis, Lozowski, Mallinder, Marchant, Maunder, May, Nowell, Wigglesworth, Slade, Smith, Solomona, Tuilagi, Watson, Youngs.