Chris Ashton and Maro Itoje are among ten Saracens players included in Stuart Lancaster's England training squad for the Rugby World Cup in September.

Wing Ashton earns a re-call to the 50-strong squad after missing out on the Red Rose's last two Six Nations squads, whilst Itoje caps a remarkable breakthrough season with his first senior call-up.

The duo are joined by Saracens team-mates Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, Alex Goode, George Kruis, David Strettle, Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola and Richard Wigglesworth.

Itoje, 20, won the Junior World Championship with England Under-20s as captain last summer, skippered Saracens Storm to 'A' League and LV=Cup glory and recently committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new deal.

Head coach Lancaster said: “We are excited to name this extended squad, which allows us to look at a wide group of players who have been pushing hard for selection in training with us or playing well for their clubs this season.

“There are a lot of experienced internationals within the squad with the likes of Chris Ashton and David Strettle, who are in great form for Saracens, coming back.

“It’s also good to have young players like Luke Cowan-Dickie, Elliot Daly, Maro Itoje and Henry Slade in there. They have come through our player development pathway and had great seasons for their clubs."

And speaking to BBC 5Live, director of rugby McCall earlier backed Itoje to make the step-up into the senior side.

He said: "It will do him all the good in the world. 

"Once the English coaches get him in camp they will realise just what kind of animal he is, and how bright he is.

"He's got a lot to learn and a long way to go of course and there's massive improvement in him.

"But he's good already, and he will relish that kind of environment and training with those kind of players."

Lancaster's final 31-man squad is set to be confirmed on August 31, with their World Cup campaign starting against Fiji on 18 September at Twickenham.