Six Nations: Robshaw, Itoje and Joseph named in England training squad

England vs. Italy

• What: Six Nations round four
• When: Saturday 9 March
• Where: Twickenham, London
• Start time: 4.45pm
• TV channel: live on ITV

England rugby head coach Eddie Jones has named a 31-man training squad that will prepare for this weekend’s Six Nations clash against Italy.

Currently second in the Six Nations standings behind Wales, England will be confident of beating the Italians at Twickenham on Saturday 9 March.

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After nine months out of the England fold former captain Chris Robshaw returns to the squad after proving his fitness for Harlequins. The flanker, 32, suffered a knee injury in October and missed the autumn internationals.

Robshaw is one of three players to return from injury. Lock Maro Itoje missed the games against France and Wales but has recovered from a knee injury. Bath centre Jonathan Joseph is also back after a broken foot.

Uncapped duo Ben Earl and Ollie Thorley are also included in the training squad.

England squad

• Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
• Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens) captain, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Scotland add eight to their squad

Scotland vs. Wales

• What: Six Nations round four
• When: Saturday 9 March
• Where: BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
• Start time: 2.15pm
• TV channel: live on BBC and S4C

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has added eight players to his squad to prepare for the Wales match at Murrayfield.

Hamish Watson, Willem Nel, Sam Skinner, Stafford McDowall and Grant Stewart return from injury while Matt Fagerson, Byron McGuigan and Gordon Reid are also included. Scotland, however, will be without full-back Stuart Hogg because of a shoulder injury.

Six Nations results, fixtures and TV guide

Round one results

• France 19 Wales 24
• Scotland 33 Italy 20
• Ireland 20 England 32

Round two results

• Scotland 13 Ireland 22
• Italy 15 Wales 26
• England 44 France 8

Round three results

• France 27 Scotland 10
• Wales 21 England 13
• Italy 16 Ireland 26

Round four fixtures

• Saturday 9 March: Scotland vs. Wales (2.15pm, live on BBC and S4C); England vs. Italy (4.45pm, live on ITV)
• Sunday 10 March: Ireland vs. France (3pm, live on ITV)

Round five fixtures

• Saturday 16 March: Italy vs. France (12.30pm, live on ITV); Wales vs. Ireland (2.45pm, live on BBC and S4C)
• Sunday 17 March: England vs. Scotland (5pm, live on BBC)