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.
The South Africa-born centre does not qualify for England on residency grounds until 8 July 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.
Noah Caluori, Saracens’ teenage try machine, 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. George Ford leads the team and forms a half-back axis alongside Harry Randall while Marcus Smith is fielded at full-back.
Players from Prem finalists Northampton and Exeter, who meet 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,” the 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. Following the match in Vannes, England begin their Nations Championship campaign taking in Johannesburg on 4 July.
England XV (v France XV, Stade de la Rabine, 20 June): M Smith (Harlequins); N Caluori (Saracens), M Ojomoh (Bath), S Atkinson (Gloucester), C Murley (Harlequins); G Ford (Sale, capt), H Randall (Bristol); A Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), T Dan (Saracens), G Kloska (Bristol), C Ewels (Bath), G Martin (Leicester), T Hill (Bath), T Curry (Sale), A Dombrandt (Harlequins).
Replacements: J Blamire (Leicester), B Obano (Bath), V Sela (Bath), N Isiekwe (Saracens), J Kenningham (Harlequins), R Quirke (Sale), B Janse van Rensburg (Bristol), A Radwan (Leicester).
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