England head coach Steve Borthwick has rested captain Maro Itoje for the inaugural Nations Championship, with Jamie George set to take the armband for the fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina.
George captained England for 12 Tests in 2024 before Itoje took the armband the following year and will lead the side in his Saracens colleague’s absence.
Borthwick had previously expressed a desire to rest Itoje 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 commitments for Saracens.
Highly-rated South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg looks set for his debut during the summer after being included in the squad, though will only be eligible for selection on July 8, four days after England’s opening match of the tournament against world champions South Africa.
Bristol’s Van Rensburg is one of five uncapped players included, as Saracens winger Noah Caluori, Exeter back row Greg Fisilau and props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela also make the 36-man cut.
“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:
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens) – captain , Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Ted Hill (Bath), George Kloska (Bristol Bears), George Martin (Leicester Tigers) , Beno Obano (Bath), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks) , Guy Pepper (Bath), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Vilikesa Sela (Bath)
Backs:
Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Noah Caluori (Saracens) Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs) George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints) Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)