Hooker Jamie George will captain England in next month’s Nations Championship after coach Steve Borthwick opted to rest lock Maro Itoje.
Itoje has been left out of a 36-man squad that includes five uncapped players and welcomes back several stars who were involved in the English Premiership final, including loose forward Henry Pollock.
Borthwick said the squad strikes the right balance ahead of a challenging campaign that begins against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 4 July. England will also take on Fiji at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and Argentina in Santiago del Estero.
“We’ve selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent,” he said. “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.”
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Among the most notable selections is South African centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who earns another opportunity after featuring for an England XV against a France XV last Friday. However, the 29-year-old only becomes eligible to play Test rugby for his adopted country on 8 June and will miss the Bok Test.
The other uncapped players in the squad are Saracens wing Noah Caluori, Exeter loose forward Greg Fisilau, Bristol prop George Kloska and Bath prop Vilikesa Sela.
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England Nations Championship squad
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Arthur Clark, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Greg Fisilau, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (c), Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, George Kloska, George Martin, Beno Obano, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Guy Pepper, Henry Pollock, Vilikesa Sela.
Backs: Seb Atkinson, Noah Caluori, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Max Ojomoh, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet.
Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
The post Pollock to face Boks, Itoje rested appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Hooker Jamie George will captain England in next month’s Nations Championship after coach Steve Borthwick opted to rest lock Maro Itoje.
The post Pollock to face Boks, Itoje rested appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
