Thomas makes way for Brookes in Eng squad

Brookes, 25, had been due to miss the start of England's campaign under new head coach Eddie Jones after undergoing knee surgery.

But he returned to action in Northampton's 11-24 loss to Wasps in the English Premiership on Friday and despite boss Jim Mallinder declaring him "not match-sharp", he has been drafted into the England fold.

Bath's Henry Thomas, who had taken Brookes's place in the squad, was the player to make way.

England open their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Revised England squad:

Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), James Haskell (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester) (injury replacement for Dave Ewers, Exeter), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Dan Cole (Leicester), Paul Hill (Northampton), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kieran Brookes (Northampton), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (captain/Northampton).

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Alex Goode (Saracens), Chris Ashton (Saracens), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Anthony Watson (Bath), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath) (injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi, Leicester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Sam Hill (Exeter) (injury replacement for Henry Slade, Exeter), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester).

Agence France-Presse