Maro Itoje left out of England squad

England captain Maro Itoje has been left out of Steve Borthwick’s latest training squad ahead of July’s Nations Championship.

The decision comes amid ongoing discussions over whether the Saracens lock should be rested after a demanding year for club and country.

Maro Itoje Left Out Of England Squad

Itoje was not named in Borthwick’s 26-player training group for a three-day camp at Pennyhill Park. The England captain’s summer involvement remains uncertain, with Borthwick having previously said he had discussed the possibility of giving him a break.

The lock has had a heavy workload, including the British & Irish Lions tour, England’s Six Nations campaign and Saracens duties. His omission increases the possibility that he could miss part or all of England’s summer schedule.

England Name Uncapped Players For France XV Match

Borthwick’s selections have also been shaped by the Gallagher Prem semi-finals, with players involved in this weekend’s fixtures unavailable for the camp.

New additions include Saracens lock Hugh Tizard, Harlequins prop Will Hobson, Sale hooker Nathan Jibulu and Bristol tighthead George Kloska. They could be involved when an uncapped England XV face a France XV in Vannes on June 19.

Saracens wing Tobias Elliott and Gloucester back Ben Redshaw have also joined the squad, while Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ellis Genge will continue injury rehabilitation at Pennyhill Park.

England Prepare For Nations Championship Fixtures

Bristol centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been included and could feature in the uncapped France XV match before becoming eligible for capped England fixtures through residency in July.

England will begin their Nations Championship campaign against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4, before facing Fiji and Argentina later in the month.

England squad:

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

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