Tom Wood is in line to make his England return after being retained in a 25-man squad for Saturday's clash with South Africa at Twickenhamm live on Sky Sports.
The Northampton back-row has not played for his country since Eddie Jones took over as coach, with his last appearance coming against Uruguay at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
But England's injury problems saw Wood return to the squad for their training camp in Portugal last week and he has made the first cut, with nine players having been sent home ahead of Jones naming his team on Thursday.
Wood could be battling with uncapped Fiji-born Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes, who has qualified on residency, for a place in the absence of James Haskell, Jack Clifford, Sam Jones and Mike Williams.
Sale lock Josh Beaumont also retains his place, having been added by Jones as a 34th training camp selection because of injury concerns over Courtney Lawes.
Bath's Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge of the Leicester Tigers, Gloucester back row Ben Morgan and Northampton's Teimana Harrison are the four forwards sent back to their clubs.
Saracens full-back Alex Goode, Sale's Mike Haley, Saracens fly-half Alex Lozowski and Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni are also omitted along with Exeter's Henry Slade.
Free from his injury worries, there could also be a start for Gloucester back Jonny May, while Marland Yarde could feature with Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell also absent through injury.
As well as Beaumont and Hughes, uncapped Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler and centre Ben Te'o also retain their place and could secure their first international chance.
Updated England squad:
Forwards: Dave Attwood (Bath), Josh Beaumont (Sale), Dan Cole (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Tommy Taylor (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton).
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Jonny May (Gloucester), Ben Te'o (Worcester), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester).