Joe Marler has come out of international retirement after being named in England’s 38-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup.

The Harlequins front-row signalled his intention to Eddie Jones that he has rediscovered the desire to play for his country again, having retired last September after deciding he did not want to spend long periods away from his family.

But the 28-year-old was the surprise inclusion in Jones’ final training squad, announced on Thursday afternoon, with a conversation between the pair after last month’s international against the Barbarians leading to his recall.

“I saw Joe during the Barbarians’ week and he indicated that he had a desire to come back,” Jones said. “We have since had a couple of chats and we have given him the opportunity to do that. Now it is up to him to show us what he has got.”

Danny Cipriani has also been included, keeping his hopes for an international recall alive.

The Gloucester fly-half, named this year’s Premiership Player and Players’ Player of the Year, has not been capped since England’s tour of South Africa in 2018, but he has been given the chance by Jones to prove he deserves a place in the final 31-man squad that will travel to Japan in September.

Cipriani is joined in the squad by Northampton Saints pair Piers Francis and Lewis Ludlam.

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