Six Nations Championship 2024: Englishman Manu Tuilagi in the squad to face Scotland

Center Manu Tuilagi has been included in England's preliminary 36-man squad that prepares to face Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on February 24.

Tuilagi, 32, has recovered from a thigh injury and is joined by hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and Luke George Martin.

Fly-half Marcus Smith and center Ollie Lawrence will also join the squad as they continue their rehabilitation.

However, hooker Jamie Blamire, fielder Tom Pearson and full-back Oscar Bird have withdrawn.

Tuilagi is expected to compete with Fraser Dingwall for the inside midfield position against Scotland.

Dingwall made his Test debut in the opening win over Italy before keeping his place and scoring his first England try in the win over Wales.

The Northampton center says Tuilagi's call-up will provide him “very healthy competition” in the squad.

“Manu brings something different to the midfield than we have and he has a lot of experience,” Dingwall told BBC Sport.

“I've spent time with Manu before and learned from him. If we can find a way where we can complement each other in training as well, it will benefit the team.”

England won both of their opening Six Nations matches for the first time in five years.

However, they have lost their past three meetings with Scotland, who lost to France in their last match.

Attackers: Ollie Chisum, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham South, Ben Curry, Theo Dunne, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewells, Ellis Genge, Jimmy George (captain), Joe Hayes, Maro Itoje, Joe. Marler, Benno Obano, George Martin, Ethan Roots, Will Stewart, Sam Underhill.

Their backs: Danny Kerr, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Emmanuel Faye Wabuso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Will Muir, Max Ojomoh, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Finn Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi.