England head coach Steve Borthwick is shaking up his squad ahead of Friday’s Test against France XV, bringing in a dozen fresh faces from the losing Premiership semifinalists. But the biggest story remains the absence of captain Maro Itoje, whose status for the summer Tests is still uncertain.
The squad expansion comes after Leicester Tigers and Bath both fell in last weekend’s semifinals, freeing up their players for international duty. Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs players won’t join until after Saturday’s Premiership final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
Itoje’s omission from the wider group is the headline here.
According to team insiders, ‘ongoing conversations’ are still taking place about whether the talismanic lock will feature in July’s Tests against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina. The team has not confirmed whether this is a rest decision, a contract matter, or something else entirely.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
The 12 additions are all from Leicester and Bath. Leicester sends forwards Jamie Blamire, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, George Martin, and Archie van der Flier, plus backs Adam Radwan, Freddie Steward, and Jack van Poortvliet. Bath contributes Charlie Ewels, Ted Hill, Beno Obano, Vilikesa Sela, and Max Ojomoh.
Notably, scrum-half Ben Spencer is left out — widely expected to be given the summer off after a long season.
Meanwhile, five players who were with the senior squad last week — Will Hobson, Afolabi Fasogbon, Ben Redshaw, Nathan Jibulu, and Tobias Elliot — have been sent back to their clubs. Arthur Clark, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Ellis Genge remain with the squad for rehab, along with Bath’s Guy Pepper as he works his way back to match fitness.
What’s at Stake Friday
This Friday’s match against France XV at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes is a key tune-up before the big summer series. The matchday 23 will be announced later this week, and the selection choices will give a strong hint about Borthwick’s thinking for the tougher challenges ahead.
With Itoje’s leadership role on hold, players like Ben Earl, Jamie George, and Marcus Smith will need to step up. The squad is deep, but the absence of the captain creates a leadership vacuum that Borthwick will need to fill fast.
Fans online have noted the contrast between the expanded depth and the lingering uncertainty over the team’s most influential player. Whether Itoje returns for the Springboks clash or sits out the entire summer remains the biggest unanswered question in English rugby right now.
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