Maro Itoje has been left out of England’s latest training squad to continue the uncertainty over his involvement in the Nations Championship next month.
Steve Borthwick revealed in May that he was considering resting his captain for all, or part, of the 25,000-mile July tour that comprises of fixtures against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.
Itoje, who has completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game since his debut in 2016, led the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series triumph against Australia last summer and could be stood down amid “ongoing conversations” with Borthwick.
His name is missing from the 26-man squad who will take part in a three-day camp at England’s Surrey training base, although his Saracens colleagues Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Jamie George, Nick Isiekwe, Hugh Tizard, Noah Caluori and Tobias Elliott are present.
Saracens’ season ended with their Gallagher Prem defeat at Exeter on Saturday, so their contingent comes into contention for the uncapped international against a France XV in Vannes on June 19.
There are no players from Prem semi-finalists Bath, Northampton, Leicester and Exeter – who are in action this weekend – included in the squad.
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 performance for Saracens at the tail end of the regular Prem season.
Teenage sensation Noah Caluori could also make his England debut while Sale rookie George Kloska provides hooker cover for George and Dan.
Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ellis Genge will not train as they continue to receive treatment for injuries.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 9, 2026
England Training Squad for Summer Internationals
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)