Haskell and Monye Make England Return for Autumn Internationals
James Haskell and Ugo Monye both return to the England squad for the Autumn internationals while Mako Vunipola earns his first call-up
England coach Stuart Lancaster has recalled James Haskell and Ugo Monye to the 32-man squad for the first of four Autumn internationals against Fiji at Twickenham.
The pair, along with the uncapped Mako Vunipola and Tom Youngs, the latter of which travelled on the summer tour of South Africa, replace injured quartet Tom Croft, Ben Foden, Alex Corbisiero and Rob Webber.
Northampton Saints duo Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes have recovered from respective toe and elbow injuries which kept them out of the three-match tour against the 2007 World Cup winners for the four-match Autumn series.
"As a coaching team we can't wait to go into camp and get the guys focused on what will be a massive challenge in the QBE Internationals - Fiji and then the three major southern hemisphere teams in successive weeks," Lancaster said.
"We have been impressed with some of the rugby we have seen in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup and are looking forward to the players bringing that form to Twickenham.
"It's great to be able to give Mako a chance in the squad. He has come through our age grade sides and made a real impact at Saracens. Likewise Tom Youngs, who was with us on tour in South Africa, and we know what James Haskell and Ugo Monye are capable of if they get their opportunity."
"Vunipola has been rewarded for form that we just cannot ignore," forwards coach Graham Rowntree added. "We've watched him very closely, we can't find a fault in his game.
"We, as a coaching group, are immensely excited. We can't wait to get our hands on the lads and get them focussed on a huge series.
"Haskell made a big impression on and off the field in South Africa. He made 28 tackles in the 3rd Test draw in Port Elizabeth."
Both Haskell and Monye were left out of the elite player squad announced in July, with the former having returned from a spell in Japan to re-join Wasps in the summer.
Lancaster has decided against selecting any French based players, with Delon and Steffon Armitage both omitted, along with prop Andrew Sheridan.
England face Fiji in the first of four internationals, before taking on Australia, South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham in preparation for next year's Six Nations campaign.
England squad for QBE Internationals:
Forwards: Botha, Cole, Haskell, Dowson, Hartley, Johnson, Lawes, Marler, Morgan, Palmer, Parling, Robshaw, Vunipola, Waldrom, Wilson, Wood, Youngs.
Backs: Allen, Ashton, Barritt, Brown, Care, Dickson, Farrell, Flood, Goode, Joseph, Monye, Sharples, Tuilagi, Turner-Hall, Youngs.
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