#Letakan iklan disini
Rugby Union Jun 19, 2026

England rugby: Maro Itoje not included in Steve Borthwick's training squad ahead of Nations Championship

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
England rugby: Maro Itoje not included in Steve Borthwick's training squad ahead of Nations Championship

England captain Maro Itoje has not been included in head coach Steve Borthwick's training squad ahead of July's Nations Championship amid "ongoing conversations" around the lock's involvement in the summer.

Borthwick revealed last month that he had discussed the idea of resting the Saracens star for the tournament after what he called a "challenging year", including a British and Irish Lions tour, a demanding Six Nations campaign, and the death of his mother in November, alongside his club commitments.

The Gallagher Prem semi-finals also restrict Borthwick's selections to players not involved in this weekend's action, making space for a number of uncapped players.

New inclusions feature Saracens lock Hugh Tizard, Harlequins prop Will Hobson, Sale hooker Nathan Jibulu and Bristol tighthead George Kloska, all of whom will be hoping to feature in an uncapped England XV's trip to Vannes to face a France XV on Friday June 19.

Elsewhere, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ellis Genge all return to Pennyhill Park to rehabilitate their injuries, while Saracens wing Tobias Elliot joins the squad alongside Gloucester back Ben Redshaw.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg is included and could make his England debut against France even though he does not officially qualify until after the clash with South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4.

South African born and raised, Van Rensburg becomes available on residency grounds from July 8 but the fact no caps will be awarded for the trip to Stade de la Rabine means he can be picked for the curtain-raiser to the summer tour.

The 29-year-old could form a centre partnership with Seb Atkinson, while Elliott has played his way into contention for a wing spot following a string of high-calibre performances for Saracens at the tail end of the regular Prem season.

There is just under a month to go until England's trip to Johannesburg to face world champions South Africa, before playing Fiji and Argentina in Liverpool and Santiago del Estero respectively.

Forwards:

Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens) , Will Hobson (Harlequins), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks), Jack Kenningham (Harlequins), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Hugh Tizard (Saracens)

Backs:

Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Noah Caluori (Saracens), Tobias Elliott (Saracens), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears), Ben Redshaw (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

Stream Rugby Union and more on Your Site.

Tags:

rugby-union news

Share this article

Related Posts

Women's Six Nations 2026: Fixtures, results, schedule, dates and more as England clinch another championship title

Women's Six Nations 2026: Fixtures, results, schedule, dates and more as England clinch another championship title

All the results for the 2026 Women's Six Nations as England defended their title against France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.Saturday April 11S...

Scott Hastings: Scottish rugby great and former British and Irish Lions centre dies aged 61

Scott Hastings: Scottish rugby great and former British and Irish Lions centre dies aged 61

Scottish rugby great Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61.The British and Irish Lions centre won 65 caps in an 11-year Test career that began in 1...

Champions Cup final LIVE! Leinster vs holders Bordeaux-Begles updates, latest scores, team news, commentary from San Mames, Bilbao

Champions Cup final LIVE! Leinster vs holders Bordeaux-Begles updates, latest scores, team news, commentary from San Mames, Bilbao

Liverpool's next star? All of Munoz's La Liga goalsTake a glimpse at Liverpool's new signing, Victor Munoz as he netted six times in 2025-2026 LaLiga...

Champions Cup: The greatest finals in the history of Europe's highest level ahead of Leinster vs Bordeaux-Begles meeting

Champions Cup: The greatest finals in the history of Europe's highest level ahead of Leinster vs Bordeaux-Begles meeting

Ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup final between Leinster and Bordeaux-Begles in Bilbao, we look back at the greatest European Cup finals in history......

George Hendy scores four tries as Northampton come close to scoring 100 points against Bristol on record-breaking night

George Hendy scores four tries as Northampton come close to scoring 100 points against Bristol on record-breaking night

George Hendy ran in four tries as Gallagher PREM leaders Northampton confirmed their place in the play-offs with a 94-33 rout of Bristol.Saints scored...

England Rugby: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken, Archie McParland called up as George Martin returns in Nations Championship training squad

England Rugby: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken, Archie McParland called up as George Martin returns in Nations Championship training squad

Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken and Archie McParland have all been named in England's training camp ahead of the inaugural Nations Champio...