- England's Lawrence eager to face rising Wallabies star Suaalii
- Judge Spurs at end of the season, says Postecoglou
- Paris Olympic horses to be awarded military medals
- Flood-hit Spain drenched by wettest October on record
- Spain call up uncapped trio for Nations League
- INEOS Britannia named as challenger for 38th America's Cup
- Scarlets wing Murray set for Wales debut against Fiji
- Stocks falter tracking US, China policy updates
- Prince William reflects on 'brutal' year as Kate returns to public life
- After Trump win, EU leaders tackle 'urgent' reform agenda
- France expects massive slump in 2024 wine harvest
- Leaders condemn 'anti-Semitic' football clashes in Amsterdam
- China passes energy law to 'promote carbon neutrality'
- Slot not surprised by flying start at Liverpool
- Kagiyama leads Miura at NHK Trophy
- China unveils sweeping local govt debt swap to lift ailing economy
- Partial UN probe of Gaza war dead over 6 months shows 'nearly 70%' women, children
- 'Anti-government' samosa theft prompts India police probe
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure'
- Ayub hits 82 as Pakistan crush Australia in 2nd ODI
- Russian drones, missiles pummel cities across Ukraine
- First artwork by humanoid robot sells for over $1.0 million
- China to raise local govt debt ceiling to boost struggling economy
- Climate change poses multiple risks for banks
- Boxing club helps fight Greenland's suicide scourge
- Retired Olympian Daley dives into the spool with Tokyo knitwear show
- Japanese organ builder 'honoured' to restore voice of Notre Dame
- Sony quarterly net profit jumps but forecast unchanged
- Asian markets struggle to maintain momentum after Fed cut
- Fur flies as Russia takes on young fans of 'quadrobics'
- Pharrell Williams to bring star power to Web Summit tech event
- On Kinshasa's streets hairdressers make a quick buck
- Rauf takes five as Australia out for 163 in 2nd Pakistan ODI
- Harris thrusts himself into pole position in Australia 'bat-off'
- Trump makes first cabinet pick, eyes Putin talks
- Qantas plane returns to Australia airport due to 'engine failure', sparks fire
- Jackson leads thrilling Ravens comeback over Bengals
- Why young men turned out in droves for Donald Trump
- China poised to approve more help for ailing economy
- Philippines cleans up after Typhoon Yinxing slams north coast
- Bucks snap losing streak with Jazz rout
- Quesada fears rustiness as Italy face Argentina in opening November Test
- Hard graft takes 140kg 'big sponge' Tatafu to France debut
- Asian markets extend rally after Fed cut
- 'Constant threat' Dupont back for France against Japan
- Bestaven in pursuit of sailing's 'holy grail' in Vendee Globe
- French monument Saint-Etienne eye success again under new ownership
- Bayern look to extend lead as Kompany makes his mark
- Sinner ATP Finals favourite after brilliant and controversial year
- Cracked earth in Greece's saffron heartland as drought takes toll
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.
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.
But England coach Jones said he remained the "right man" to lead the team.
"Owen is captain because he has the respect of the team, he's a winner and he drives the competitive spirit of the team," he said.
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.
Asked if he would be happy to select Farrell on the back of just one Premiership match for the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield, Jones replied: "We'll just wait and see. He's due to play this week and then he has another training week and then he will be eligible for selection and we will have to see where he's up to."
Uncapped Bath fly-half Orlando Bailey was included in the squad but experienced playmaker George Ford's international exile continues despite an impressive start to the season with Premiership leaders Leicester.
Elliot Daly, Billy and Mako Vunipola and Sam Underhill, who were all, along with Ford, members of the England squad that reached the 2019 World Cup final, also remained out in the cold.
- 'Make me an idiot' -
But Jones said all those omitted could fight their way back into World Cup contention.
"They've all got areas they need to work on in their games to come back into the team and they've got to play at a level where it makes me an idiot if I don't pick them," the veteran Australian coach explained.
At the other end of the experience spectrum, the uncapped Alfie Barbeary, Ollie Chessum, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Luke Northmore have all been included.
"They're in the squad because we feel they can make a contribution to the team," said Jones. "There's no reason why they can't."
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.
Following an unbeaten Autumn Nations Series campaign, Jones said a "new" England had moved on from the 2021 Six Nations.
Last year Scotland beat England 11-6 to register their first win over their arch-rivals at Twickenham for 38 years.
"They've got a number of good players in their team who are operating close to their best in (Finn) Russell and particularly (Stuart) Hogg, (Hamish) Watson and (Jamie) Ritchie in the back row," said Jones.
"We know it will be a very, very tough game but we're looking forward to taking it to them."
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)
W.Lapointe--BTB