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George Kruis dropped from England squad to face Australia at Twickenham, Joe Marler returns

England's George Kruis during the Autumn International at Twickenham Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday November 11, 2017. Se
Image: George Kruis has been left out of England's squad to face Australia

England coach Eddie Jones has dropped lock forward George Kruis for Saturday's autumn international against Australia.

Kruis started the 21-8 victory over Argentina in the second row but has been released back to his club Saracens after Jones opted to include Bath's Charlie Ewels in a 25-man training squad retained at the team's Bagshot base.

Kruis's Saracens team-mate Alex Lozowski and Leicester prop Ellis Genge have also been left out after making appearances against the Pumas.

However, Harlequins' Joe Marler is set to play a role against the Wallabies when the team is announced on Thursday morning.

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Kruis, a peripheral figure in England's opening international of the autumn, has suffered a number of injury setbacks in recent times and was also dropped for an error-strewn performance in the first Test of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

The 27-year-old, a protege of England forwards coach and his former Sarries skipper Steve Borthwick, was viewed as an indispensable part of the team as recently as the Six Nations but his stock has slipped badly since.

File photo dated 17-02-2017 (Six Nations) of England's Joe Marler
Image: Experienced prop Joe Marler is free from suspension to appear for England

Marler returns after completing his three-week ban for striking with the elbow in the Champions Cup and will either start or be named on the bench against Australia, depending on whether Jones decides to reduce Mako Vunipola's workload.

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Lozowski has been axed despite appearing as a second-half replacement on Saturday, making the initial break that led to Semesa Rokoduguni's match-sealing try.

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Highlights of England's opening autumn international clash against Argentina.

Lozowksi's exit means that his Saracens colleague Owen Farrell is almost certain to be involved against the Australians, who beat Wales 29-21 in Cardiff, after being rested for the visit of Argentina alongside another club-mate Maro Itoje, who is also poised to return.

Harlequin Mike Brown is present among the 25-strong party despite being likely to miss out as he follows the return to play protocols for concussion, as is Leicester wing Jonny May who has made a full return to training following his recovery from a hamstring strain.

England squad to play Australia

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards: Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs).

Players released back to their clubs: Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks).

Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors) will remain in camp until Wednesday.

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