Jamie George to captain England this summer

England head coach Steve Borthwick has named Jamie George as captain for the summer Nations Championship fixtures, with Maro Itoje rested after a demanding year for club and country.

Jamie George To Captain England

George will lead England for their summer matches against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina. The Saracens hooker previously captained England in 2024 before Itoje took over the role the following year.

Itoje has been left out of the squad as part of a planned rest period. Borthwick had earlier indicated that the England captain needed a break after a heavy workload, which included a British and Irish Lions tour, a demanding Six Nations campaign and personal bereavement following the death of his mother in November.

England Nations Championship Squad

The 36-man squad includes a mix of senior internationals and emerging players. Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been selected and could make his capped England debut during the summer, although he will only become eligible from July 8.

That means he will not be available for England’s opening Nations Championship match against world champions South Africa on July 4. He could, however, come into contention for the fixtures against Fiji and Argentina.

Five Uncapped Players Included

Janse van Rensburg is one of five uncapped players named by Borthwick. Saracens winger Noah Caluori, Exeter back-row Greg Fisilau, Bristol prop George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela have also been included.

Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell returns after injury disrupted his Six Nations campaign earlier this year. His comeback comes shortly after helping Northampton win the Gallagher Prem title.

Borthwick said the squad had been selected with a balance of experience and emerging talent. He added that England’s summer schedule would test the group through strong opposition, travel demands and changing conditions.

"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."

England 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)