Haskell named in England squad after serving four-week club ban

England have included James Haskell in a 25-man squad ahead of Saturday’s Natwest 6 Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Haskell is available for the first time in the 2018 Championship after serving a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle incurred on club duty for Wasps.

Eddie Jones will cull two players from the 25 on Thursday morning when he names his starting XV, with Haskell hoping to make his first England appearance since last year’s Six Nations.

The squad features the same 10 backs involved in the 12-6 victory over Wales and they will all be in action again at Murrayfield unless Jones opts for a 6-2 split on the bench.

Nathan Hughes’ return to fitness after eight weeks out with knee ligament damage means he will start at number eight, the position previously filled by shoulder injury victim Sam Simmonds.

It appears that Haskell, Sam Underhill, George Kruis and Charlie Ewels are fighting it out for two forward berths on the bench.

West Ham boss David Moyes acted as the Scot behind enemy lines for the double training session, while former England U21s boss Stuart Pearce, ex-newcastle and Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand and former England women’s team manager Hope Powell were also due to see Jones’ squad in action.

Meanwhile the rivalry between the nations comprises the sport’s oldest international fixture dating back to 1871 and for all the history of dark days inflicted by Scottish hands, England’s Ben Te’o insists past memories have no bearing on Saturday.

“It’s completely irrelevant. It’s fans who love to talk about past games, past championships,” Te’o, who will win his 11th cap at BT Murrayfield, said.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you the history. It doesn’t really affect me.”

James Haskell has returned to the England squad.