England Captain Maro Itoje Rested for Nations Championship
England captain Maro Itoje will not participate in England's Test match against South Africa on 4 July, having been rested for this summer's Nations Championship campaign. The 31-year-old, who has earned 102 Test caps since his debut in 2016 and has been a consistent presence for England, has exceeded World Rugby's recommended limit of 30 games per season in each of the past two campaigns.
In addition to captaining England and his club side Saracens, Itoje led the British and Irish Lions during their victorious series against Australia last summer. He has also faced personal challenges, having mourned the passing of his mother, Florence, in December. He spoke at her funeral in Nigeria and, with the agreement of the national team, joined his teammates late ahead of the Six Nations tournament.
Leadership and Squad Selection
Hooker Jamie George, who previously captained England and resumed the role when Itoje began the Six Nations on the bench, will captain the squad this summer. The team includes five uncapped players, highlighting a blend of experience and emerging talent.
Among the newcomers is Saracens' teenage wing Noah Caluori, who secured his place ahead of several competitors, including Adam Radwan, Tom Roebuck, and Henry Arundell. The 19-year-old Caluori, known for his exceptional leaping ability making him a significant aerial threat, finished joint top of the Premiership try-scoring charts this season with 18 tries.
Also included is Benhard Janse van Rensburg, a South African-born Bristol centre who will become eligible to represent England on residency grounds in time for the Tests against Fiji and Argentina on 11 and 18 July. Specialist midfield options Max Ojomoh (Bath), Henry Slade (Exeter), and Seb Atkinson (Gloucester) join him, while Ollie Lawrence and Northampton's Fraser Dingwall and Tom Litchfield have been overlooked.
Caluori and Janse van Rensburg both participated in an uncapped match against a France XV on Friday.
Back Row and Front Row Selections
Exeter's uncapped Greg Fisilau is named as the secondary number eight behind first-choice Ben Earl, edging out Alex Dombrandt. Guy Pepper has recovered from injury to secure a place in the back row, while tighthead props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela are in line to earn their first caps.
With Itoje absent, opportunities arise in the second row. George Martin, remembered for his outstanding performance against South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final, recently returned from a 14-month injury layoff. Gloucester's Arthur Clark will seek to add to the single cap he earned against the United States in July.
In the front row, Sale's Asher Opoku-Fordjour, typically a tighthead prop, will also cover loosehead prop. Ellis Genge has recently recovered from a calf injury, while Bevan Rodd and Fin Baxter have been ruled out.
Backs and Tactical Considerations
With only Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Cadan Murley joining Caluori as specialist wingers, head coach Steve Borthwick's selections suggest a possible return for Tommy Freeman on the wing, despite Freeman having started at outside centre in four of England's five Six Nations matches.
Challenges Ahead in the Nations Championship
Borthwick acknowledged the challenges posed by the new Nations Championship format, which replaces the traditional single-location summer tour for northern hemisphere nations. England will face world champions South Africa at altitude in Johannesburg, play Fiji in Liverpool, and then travel to Santiago del Estero, a smaller city in Argentina, to face the Pumas.
"We've selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent," said Borthwick.
"The Nations Championship presents an exciting challenge for this group. We will face strong opposition in demanding environments, with extensive travel, and changes in climate all testing the squad throughout the tournament.
"I am sure by preparing well and continuing to demand the highest standards from one another every day, we will be well placed to meet the challenge of a very demanding summer schedule."
Nations Championship Squad
Forwards: Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Coles (Northampton Saints), Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Curry (Sale Sharks), Dan (Saracens), Earl (Saracens), Ewels (Bath Rugby), Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Genge (Bristol Bears), George (Saracens), Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Hill (Bath Rugby), Kloska (Bristol Bears), Martin (Leicester Tigers), Obano (Bath Rugby), Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Pepper (Bath Rugby), Pollock (Northampton Saints), Sela (Bath Rugby).
Backs: S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Caluori (Saracens), Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), Ford (Sale Sharks), Freeman (Northampton Saints), Furbank (Northampton Saints), Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Murley (Harlequins), Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Smith (Northampton Saints), Smith (Harlequins), Spencer (Bath Rugby), Steward (Leicester Tigers), van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).
