England Autumn International: Owen Farrell and Tom Willis were missing from the 36-man training squad

Former captain Owen Farrell is set to continue a two-year absence from the England squad after being left out of coach Steve Borthwick’s initial preparations for the autumn internationals.

Saracens’ number eight Tom Willis has also been omitted after his club confirmed he will leave at the end of the season to play in France for Bordeaux.

Former England Under-20s captain and Leicester striker Emeka Ileoni has been recalled, while 19-year-old Saracens winger Noah Calori has been invited to join training after scoring five tries on his Premier League debut against Sale on Saturday.

Farrell, who has won 112 caps, returned to the eligibility test this summer when the 34-year-old joined Saracens from French side Racing 92.

An injury to Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson, who started as a 12-year-old in both tests against Argentina in July, could have opened a way back into the lineup for Farrell, who has been deployed in midfield in all four Prem matches this season.

Instead, Borthwick has Northampton’s Fraser Dingwall and Exeter’s Henry Slade as options in midfield alongside Bath’s Ollie Lawrence, who has recovered faster than expected from the Achilles injury he suffered against Italy in March.

Tommy Freeman, usually on the wing, started at the age of 13 in England’s 68-14 win over Wales in Cardiff in their final Six Nations match, and is one of 37 players, including Calori, who meet for the three-day training camp at the start of next week.

A 36-man squad will then be announced next weekend for England’s autumn campaign, which includes clashes with Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.

Farrell last played for England in the third-place play-off win over Argentina in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He missed the following Six Nations campaign to “prioritize his mental well-being and his family” before crossing the Channel to play in France in the summer of 2024.

Farrell has endured a frustrating season in the top 14 hampered by injury and indifferent form, but was recalled to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, coming off the bench for the final two Tests.

Also included is Pigeons winger Henry Arundel, who like Farrell returns from Racing 92 and last appeared for England in 2023.

The 22-year-old has scored three tries in his first four appearances for his hometown club.

Meanwhile, Willis was made ineligible following news of his impending move to France.

He became part of the England squad during his time at Saracens and won eight caps.

The 28-year-old impressed during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States, and his departure would be a setback for Borthwick.