Farrell returns as England captain for Six Nations
Owen Farrell has been retained as England's captain for the Six Nations but
there are several high-profile absentees from the 36-strong squad announced by
Eddie Jones on Tuesday.
With the in-form Marcus Smith set to start at fly-half for England in their tournament opener away to Scotland on February 5, Farrell could be deployed as a centre rather than a No 10.
Uncapped Bath fly-half Orlando Bailey was included but experienced playmaker George Ford's international exile continues despite an impressive start to the season with Premiership leaders Leicester.
Utility back Elliot Daly also missed out despite his recovery from a stress fracture.
His Saracens team-mates, Billy and Mako Vunipola, were again omitted by Jones as the Australian continues to refresh his squad ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.
Back-row forward Sam Underhill, another member of the squad that helped England reach the 2019 World Cup final, also remained out in the cold.
The 30-year-old Farrell, a veteran of 100 Tests, has been sidelined from all rugby since suffering an ankle injury during a Test against Australia at Twickenham in November.
Courtney Lawes stood in as skipper for November's victories over world champions South Africa and Tonga.
But Farrell, who had surgery, has been recalled by Jones and could now look to prove his fitness by playing for Saracens against London Irish on Sunday.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Luke Northmore have all been included.
England, who finished fifth in last season's Six Nations before improving markedly in November, will meet on Monday for a five-day training camp.
"Selecting this squad has been a difficult task," said Jones. "We've got plenty of good young players coming through and some of our more experienced are rediscovering their best form.
"We think this 36 for the first training week reflects a good balance of that experience and up-and-coming talent."
England squad
Backs: Mark Atkinson (Gloucester), Orlando Bailey (Bath), Owen Farrell (Saracens, capt), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank, Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish), Max Malins (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Raffi Quirke (Sale), Harry Randall (Bristol), Henry Slade (Exeter), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Ben Youngs (Leicester)
Forwards: Alfie Barbeary (Wasps), Jamie Blamire (Newcastle), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Tom Curry (Sale), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Jonny Hill (Exeter), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol) Will Stuart (Bath)
