England Six Nations squad: Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela and Greg Fisilau picked

England called up 20-year-old uncapped prop Vilikesa ‘Billy’ Sela for the Six Nations to compensate for a series of tight head injuries, while Exeter number eight Greg Fisilau was rewarded for his good club form with a place in a competitive back-row group.

Elsewhere, Gloucester second-row Arthur Clarke, who was left out of last year’s Six Nations due to injury but made his debut against the USA in the summer, is also among the second-strings.

Northampton’s uncapped Emmanuel Iyogun, who started both England A fixtures in the autumn, comes in for stray support.

Saracens’ Noah Caluori and Northampton pair George Hendy and Ollie Sleightholme missed out on the back three preferred by Bath speedster Henry Arundell, Harlequins’ Cadan Murley and experienced Elliot Daly.

Northampton’s George Furbank, who has played just six games in the last eight injury-plagued months, is also in the squad.

Leicester’s Adam Radwan’s hopes of joining the team are over due to an untimely leg injury.

Tigers teammate Jack van Poortvliet supports Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer at scrum-half.

There are injury concerns for center Ollie Lawrence, winger Tom Roebuck, winger Ben Curry and fly-half Fin Smith. All of these names will be rehabilitated along with the 36-man squad for the tournament opener against Wales on 7 February.

Loose prop Fin Baxter will miss this match due to a foot injury but should be back in time to contribute to the remainder of England’s season.

Sela will compete with Trevor Davison to cover Joe Heyes on the other side of the scrum.

Overall, England head coach Steve Borthwick, whose team is on an 11-match winning streak for the year, is picking from a position of strength.

Once an area lacking depth, midfield now has plenty of options, with Seb Atkinson and Max Ojomoh putting pressure on more established names.