Five Bath Rugby players have been named by Eddie Jones in England’s squad for their first match of the NatWest 6 Nations against Italy.

Regular England internationals Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson are joined by club-mates Sam Underhill, Tom Dunn and Zach Mercer in the 35-man squad.

Mercer and Dunn are both uncapped by England and could make their debut in Rome, with the former no longer referred to as an apprentice player.

Semesa Rokoduguni (shoulder), Charlie Ewels (hamstring) and Beno Obano are all included in the list of players unavailable.

Following this weekend’s club fixtures, the players will travel to Portugal for a week-long training camp before reconvening on January 29 at Pennyhill Park ahead of the tournament opener.

Zach Mercer on the charge against Scarlets
Zach Mercer on the charge against Scarlets

In total, Jones has selected eight uncapped players while there are 898 caps between the other 27 players in the squad.

Harlequins prop Lewis Boyce, 21, is called up for the first time following club teammate Joe Marler receiving a six-week suspension last week.

Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) is retained having been involved in the England setup for the first time earlier this month in Brighton and Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs) receives his first senior call up.

Outside backs Nathan Earle (Saracens) and Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints) are also named. Both travelled on England’s tour of Argentina in June but were not capped.

England winger Semesa Rokoduguni is unavailable for selection

Eddie Jones said: “I have selected the strongest available squad to prepare for our opening match against Italy.

"It is important we start the tournament well and we will spend the next two weeks training smart and really fine-tuning our game plan for the Italy match next month.

“I am expecting a really positive training camp in Portugal and while we have a few players unavailable through injury or suspension, it has provided opportunity for others who will be desperate to be involved in the Italy game.”

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins) , Owen Farrell (Saracens) , George Ford (Leicester Tigers) , Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) , Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards: Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens) , Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) , Joe Launchbury (Wasps) , Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) , Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) , Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) , Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Lewis Boyce (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby) , Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)

Players unavailable: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby) , Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Beno Obano (Bath Rugby), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby) , Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors), Billy Vunipola (Saracens)