Benhard Janse van Rensburg set for England debut in France

Benhard Janse van Rensburg is poised to make his England debut off the bench in Friday’s non-cap international against a France XV in Vannes.

South Africa-born Janse van Rensburg does not qualify for England on residency grounds until July 8 but is able to be picked because the Stade de la Rabine showdown is not a Test.

Max Ojomoh forms a centre partnership with Seb Atkinson, with one of them to make way when Janse van Rensburg is thrust into the action in the curtain-raiser to next month’s 25,000-mile tour that spans three continents.

Teenage try machine Noah Caluori makes his third appearance for a senior England team after being chosen on the right wing, although he has yet to win his first cap.

Starting squad

George Ford leads the team and forms a half-back axis alongside Harry Randall while Marcus Smith is fielded at full-back.

Three of the Bath side who featured in Saturday’s Gallagher Prem play-off defeat by Exeter start in Ojomoh, Charlie Ewels and Ted Hill, while two more in Beno Obano and Vilikesa Sela appear on the bench.

George Martin also starts having been involved in Leicester‘s loss to Northampton on Friday while his Tigers team-mates Jamie Blamire and Adam Radwan are included among the replacements.

Players from Prem finalists Northampton and Exeter, who collide at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, are unavailable for selection.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting challenge against a strong French team in what will be a demanding fixture,” head coach Steve Borthwick said.

“I’m eager to see this group get out there and show what they’re capable of. It’s a great opportunity to keep developing our game in the lead-up to the forthcoming Nations Championship.”

England’s squad for next month’s Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina is named on Monday with Borthwick considering whether to rest captain Maro Itoje.

England XV: M Smith (Harlequins); N Caluori (Saracens), M Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), C Murley (Harlequins); G Ford (Sale Sharks, capt), H Randall (Bristol Bears); A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), T Dan (Saracens), G Kloska (Bristol Bears), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), G Martin (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Bath Rugby), T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).

Replacements: J Blamire (Leicester Tigers), B Obano (Bath Rugby), V Sela (Bath Rugby), N Isiekwe (Saracens), J Kenningham (Harlequins), R Quirke (Sale Sharks), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), A Radwan (Leicester Tigers).

READ MORE: Maro Itoje again left out of Steve Borthwick’s England squad