England name Mercer, Care in Rugby World Cup training squad

Zach Mercer and Danny Care have been selected in England's first Rugby World Cup training squad, announced by head coach Steve Borthwick on Monday.

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No 8 Mercer, who will move to English Premiership club Gloucester from French side Montpellier next season, last played Test rugby in 2018.

But Exeter loose forward forward Sam Simmonds, signed by Montpellier as Mercer's replacement, has ruled himself out of World Cup selection.

Exeter wing Jack Nowell, who is set to join reigning European champions La Rochelle, also made himself unavailable for the tournament in France.

Mercer's stint in France meant he was not eligible for England selection.

Harlequins scrumhalf Care won the last of his 87 England caps on tour in Australia a year ago.

England men's head coach Steve Borthwick has named a 28-player training squad for his first Rugby World Cup 2023 preparation campThe squad does not include players from the four Premiership semi-finalist teams, Leicester, Northampton, Sale & Saracens#WearTheRose | @O2

There are also places for Bath scrumhalf Ben Spencer in a 28-player group, alongside Bristol scrumhalf Harry Randall, Bath flanker Ted Hill, Quins prop Joe Marler and London Irish flanker Tom Pearson.

Irish last week filed for administration following their suspension from all club competitions by the Rugby Football Union.

All four of the club's representatives in the squad - Pearson, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Henry Arundell and Will Joseph - wanted to be listed on the official squad press release as London Irish players.

Former Wasps lock Joe Launchbury was not considered due to a minor injury.

Borthwick's group does not include players from Premiership semi-finalists Saracens,