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

Maro Itoje is missing once again as England named an enlarged squad to resume preparations for a summer schedule that begins with a non-cap international against France on Friday.

Itoje could be rested for all or part of the July tour and the prospect of the England captain being stood down for the Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina moved a step closer following his omission from the 33-man group named by Steve Borthwick.

Players from losing Gallagher Prem semi-finalists Bath and Leicester have become available following the weekend’s action, resulting in the addition to the squad of Itoje’s fellow second rows Ollie Chessum, George Martin and Charlie Ewels.

It gives Borthwick options in the position, providing the scope to rest Itoje if it is felt he would benefit from having the summer off. Only Northampton’s Alex Coles of England’s front line locks remains in Prem action.

Comeback

Bath flanker Sam Underhill has been omitted amid the possibility he might need an operation for an undisclosed injury.

Underhill’s club colleagues Ben Spencer and Ollie Lawrence are also absent, but Max Ojomoh is recalled in the hope of playing a role against France in Vannes.

Named among a trio of players who were rehabilitating injuries at England’s training base last week, star wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is now back at Exeter.

Feyi-Waboso underwent surgery for a facial injury sustained against Leicester on May 31 and was expected to be unavailable until the Nations Championship opener against South Africa on July 4 at the earliest, but his return to Sandy Park raises the prospect of an early comeback in Saturday’s Prem final.

Competition

One player hoping to compete with Feyi-Waboso as a wing option is Noah Caluori, who could make his England debut at the Stade de la Rabine.

Teenage try machine Caluori was last week named the Prem’s breakthrough player of the season and ends the 2025-26 regular campaign as the competition’s leading try scorer with 18.

Assisting in his pursuit of becoming an international is Itoje, his Saracens team-mate and captain who has been providing advice.

Caluori said: “In my first England camp last year, in the first high intensity training session, Maro said ‘a lot of players come into this camp and don’t make the most of it’. They just let it go by, just cruise through so they don’t make any mistakes.

“He said ‘don’t be one of those players. I know you are not one of them’. I just went out and did me, really.

“He’s amazing. A man full of knowledge, a man full of experience, and it is incredible to be captained by him.

“I’m hoping to get the opportunity to get my first cap. When I am on, I just want to be able to perform and make the most of that opportunity.”

Squad

England squad (33) – Forwards: J Blamire (Leicester Tigers), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), T Curry (Sale Sharks), T Dan (Saracens), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), B Earl (Saracens), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester Tigers), T Hill (Bath Rugby), N Isiekwe (Saracens), J Kenningham (Harlequins), G Kloska (Bristol Bears), G Martin (Leicester Tigers), B Obano (Bath Rugby), A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), V Sela (Bath Rugby), H Tizard (Saracens), A van der Flier (Leicester Tigers).

Backs: C Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), S Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), N Caluori (Saracens), G Ford (Sale Sharks), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), C Murley (Harlequins), M Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), R Quirke (Sale Sharks), A Radwan (Leicester Tigers), H Randall (Bristol Bears), T Roebuck (Sale Sharks), M Smith (Harlequins), F Steward (Leicester Tigers), J van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers).

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