Second row Maro Itoje has returned to the England set-up after being named in a 36-man training squad for this autumn’s Nations Championship matches.

Itoje missed matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in July, taking his first proper summer break from rugby in more than a decade.

The 31-year-old, whose mother died shortly before he led England through a deflating Six Nations campaign that featured only one win, has said he has felt the benefits of his time away.

Steve Borthwick’s players meet up on Sunday for the first time since their summer tour.

Saracens’ Itoje is expected to reclaim the captaincy from Jamie George when England play Australia on 8 November.

They face Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November.

Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant, who are available for England again after returning from Brive and Stade Francais respectively, have not been included.

The pair have been asked to prove themselves in the Prem before returning to the set-up.

George has a groin injury and Ollie Chessum a foot problem, but both will join up with the squad.

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton), George Kloska (Bristol), George Martin (Saracens), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Guy Pepper (Bath), Henry Pollock (Northampton), Will Stuart (Bath), Kepueli Tuipulotu (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).

Backs: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Tobias Elliott (Saracens), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Harlequins), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol), Archie McParland (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Henry Slade (Exeter), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).