As the clock ticks down to the Nations Championship opener against the Springboks, England's head coach Steve Borthwick has made a bold move by sidelining his captain, Maro Itoje, from the upcoming training camp. This decision intensifies speculation about Itoje's role in the demanding series of July games, including a high-stakes clash with the world champions at Ellis Park.
Itoje, a 31-year-old lock and a key figure in England rugby, was notably absent from the 26-man squad announced for a three-day stint. This exclusion comes hot on the heels of Borthwick's hints last month about giving Itoje a breather during this intense period. "Discussions are ongoing regarding Maro's workload," Borthwick disclosed, acknowledging the hefty demands placed on his captain. Itoje's robust playing schedule has made him one of the most utilized players on the international scene since his England debut in 2016.
"Discussions are ongoing regarding Maro's workload."
While Itoje sits out, several of his Saracens colleagues have made the cut for the training camp. The list includes names like Ben Earl, Theo Dan, and Jamie George, all fresh from their club's recent Premiership campaign. Despite Saracens' loss to Exeter, these players are gearing up for an upcoming non-cap match against a France XV in Vannes on June 19.
The training squad's composition also reflects the exclusion of players from the Premiership semi-finalists—Bath, Northampton, Leicester, and Exeter—highlighting Borthwick's strategy to manage player fatigue across a grueling 40,000km tour that encompasses games against Argentina and Fiji post the South Africa match.
Here's a rundown of the England training squad: Forwards: Arthur Clark, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Afolabi Fasogbon, Jamie George, Will Hobson, Nick Isiekwe, Nathan Jibulu, Jack Kenningham, George Kloska, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Hugh Tizard. Backs: Charlie Atkinson, Seb Atkinson, Noah Caluori, Tobias Elliott, George Ford, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Cadan Murley, Raffi Quirke, Harry Randall, Ben Redshaw, Tom Roebuck, Marcus Smith.
As the training camp gears up and the debate over Itoje's rest continues, all eyes will be on how England's squad adapts to these strategic decisions by Borthwick. The forthcoming Nations Championship will not only test the depth and resilience of the team but also showcase their readiness for the relentless international schedule.