England captain Maro Itoje will sit out the upcoming Nations Championship, including the July 4 clash against South Africa. The 31-year-old is being rested after exceeding World Rugby’s recommended limit of 30 matches per season for two consecutive years. Beyond his heavy workload with club side Saracens and the national team, Itoje recently navigated personal loss following the death of his mother, Florence, in December.
Jamie George, who previously captained England, will lead the squad this summer. His group features five uncapped players, most notably the 19-year-old Saracens winger Noah Caluori. Caluori earned his spot after finishing the season tied for the most Premiership tries with 18. Other newcomers include South African-born center Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Exeter number eight Greg Fisilau, and props George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela.
Head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged the complexity of the new Nations Championship format, which involves significant travel and varied climates. Despite these logistical hurdles, Borthwick expressed confidence in his balanced squad. The team is scheduled to play South Africa in Johannesburg, followed by matches against Fiji and Argentina later in July.