England trio return to Saints ahead of big Premiership opener

Furbank, Mitchell and Ribbans were not retained by Eddie Jones ahead of Saturday's Autumn Nations Cup clash with Ireland at Twickenham.

But there was one Saints player in the 25-man group who continue to prepare for the clash as Lewis Ludlam was kept on by boss Jones.

It means Saints only have two international players away with their country - Dan Biggar is the other as he is with Wales ahead of their fixture against Georgia.

Chris Boyd will be eager to have as many options available to him as possible as Sale will pose a formidable test for Saints this week.

The black, green and gold have lost on their past four Premiership visits to the AJ Bell Stadium.

Sale also have just one player on England duty as flanker Tom Curry remains with the Red Rose.

England squad retained ahead of the game against Ireland

Backs

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 44 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 85 caps)

George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 69 caps)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 52 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)

Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 58 caps)

Dan Robson (Wasps, 4 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 101 caps)

Forwards

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 25 caps)

Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)

Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 51 caps)

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 40 caps)

Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 66 caps)

Lewis Ludlam (Saints, 8 caps)

Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 37 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 61 caps)