England head coach Steve Borthwick has announced his squad for the inaugural Nation Championship, with regular captain Maro Itoje rested.
Itoje is taking some much-needed time off after a gruelling last 12 months, which included a British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, the Six Nations Championship and the passing of his mother in November.
Jamie George will instead lead the team during a summer campaign that sees fixtures against South Africa (4 July), Fiji (11 July) and Argentina (18 July).
Fresh faces headline squad
There are five uncapped players in Borthwick’s 36-man squad: centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, winger Noah Caluori, back-rower Greg Fisilau and props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela.
South Africa–born Janse van Rensburg is only eligible for selection from July 8, so he will not feature against the world champion Springboks.
Elsewhere, scrum-half Alex Mitchell – who recently won the Gallagher Premiership title with Northampton Saints – makes a return to the national set-up after injuries ended his Six Nations involvement.
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Borthwick eyes ‘exciting challenge’
“We’ve selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent,” Borthwick told the media.
“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.”
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England’s 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), 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)
England’s Nations Championship fixtures
South Africa vs England – Saturday 4 July, 16:40 BST, Ellis Park
Fiji vs England – Saturday 11 July, 14:10 BST, Hill Dickinson Stadium
Argentina vs England – Saturday 18 July, 20:10 BST, Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades
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Simon Wilkes