Maro Itoje left out of England squad for latest training camp

Maro Itoje misses England‘s latest training squad as uncertainty continues over his involvement in next month’s Nations Championship.

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.

However, Borthwick could opt to rest him amid “ongoing conversations” between the pair.

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Missing

His name is missing from the 26-man squad who will take part in a three-day camp at England’s Surrey training base.

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 Chiefs 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 Saints, Leicester Tigers and Exeter – who are in action this weekend – included in the squad.

Debut

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 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 training squad

Forwards: A Clark (Gloucester Rugby), T Curry (Sale Sharks), T Dan (Saracens), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), B Earl (Saracens), A Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby), J George (Saracens), W Hobson (Harlequins), N Isiekwe (Saracens), N Jibulu (Sale Sharks), J Kenningham (Harlequins), G Kloska (Bristol Bears), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), H Tizard (Saracens).

Backs: C Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), N Caluori (Saracens), T Elliott (Saracens), G Ford (Sale Sharks), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), C Murley (Harlequins), R Quirke (Sale Sharks), H Randall (Bristol Bears), B Redshaw (Gloucester Rugby), T Roebuck (Sale Sharks), M Smith (Harlequins).

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