England captain Maro Itoje missing all three of his side’s summer fixtures is “very realistic”, according to head coach Steve Borthwick.
Itoje was left out of England’s training squad ahead of the tournament and will be absent for a non-capped fixture against a France XV in Vannes on Friday, for which Borthwick named his line-up on Wednesday.
England then face South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in July in the inaugural edition of the Nations Championship.
Borthwick revealed in May that he had discussed the idea of resting Itoje for the tournament after what he called a “challenging year”, including a British and Irish Lions tour, a demanding Six Nations campaign, and the death of his mother in November, alongside his commitments for Saracens.
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Steve Borthwick discusses with James Cole on England Rugby captain, Maro Itoje, and whether he may be left out of the squad for the Springboks contest this summer.
Asked for the latest on Itoje’s situation on Wednesday, Borthwick told Sky Sports News: “I think that we look at each player on an individual basis.
“There’s been an ongoing conversation regarding Maro and whether he’s part of the England squad this summer.
“As you can see by the fact that he’s not in the squad, and was only in one day of the last alignment camp, it’s certainly an intention that Maro has an opportunity for a different type of summer, one where he’s not involved with the England team.
“But clearly those decisions are all taken in the context of a multitude of factors.
“We’ve got a game on Friday night, we’ve got the Prem final on Saturday, and we’ll make that decision after the game.”
Itoje has made 102 appearances for England
Pushed on whether there’s a chance Itoje won’t feature for England over the summer, Borthwick added: “Absolutely, I think that’s very realistic, and I’ll make that decision after the game on Friday night and the game on Saturday.”
Itoje’s 102 caps put him eighth on England’s all-time appearances list, with the forward having been a mainstay since breaking into the team in 2016.
Borthwick insists that Itoje is “fully on board” with the England management’s plans for him this year.
He added: “I think there’s always a number of things that need to be considered – the individual himself, the opportunity, and the discussion with the player.
“We’ve talked to Maro at length, and he’s fully on board with our thinking of where we are at this point in time.”
Janse van Rensburg set for England debut
Benhard Janse van Rensburg is poised to make his England debut off the bench in Friday’s non-cap international against a France XV.
South Africa-born Janse van Rensburg does not qualify for England on residency grounds until July 8 but is able to be picked because the Stade de la Rabine showdown is not a Test.
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Sky Sports’ James Cole brings the latest on England’s Nations Championship training squad, with Benhard Janse van Rensburg the notable inclusion
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.
Teenage try machine Noah Caluori 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.
England team to play France XV
Starting XV: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Noah Caluori, 13 Max Ojomoh, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Cadan Murley, 10 George Ford (c), 9 Harry Randall; 1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Theo Dan, 3 George Kloska, 4 Charlie Ewels, 5 George Martin, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Alex Dombrandt.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Jack Kenningham, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Adam Radwan.
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