With several senior figures either recovering from injury or selected for the British & Irish Lions tour, England are set to inject a significant dose of youth and energy into their national side this summer. In preparation for the clash against France at Twickenham on 21 June, followed by a summer tour of Argentina (two Tests) and the USA, head coach Steve Borthwick has named an extended squad of 33 players. Notably, 14 of them are uncapped, underlining a clear intention to build for the future.
Key absentees create chances for rising stars.
With Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum away with the Lions, and George Martin and Chandler Cunningham-South still rehabilitating from injury, Borthwick has had to reshape his pack. The absence of players from Bath and Northampton, both of whom are preparing for European finals, also creates an unusual dynamic. The England boss was quick to wish them well, while also seizing the opportunity to cast the net wider and bring in fresh blood.
One player hoping to capitalise is Emeka Ilione, the dynamic Leicester Tigers back-rower. A former England U20 standout, Ilione has recently made headlines with a brace of tries against Sale, despite usually featuring off the bench. Standing at 6ft 3in and weighing 112kg, he combines physicality with intelligence, and now has a real opportunity to stake a claim.
Joining him is Arthur Clark, Gloucester’s towering second-row who has bounced back well from a freak foot injury — ironically caused by roommate Cadan Murley during a training camp. Clark has since strung together a run of solid performances and will look to help fill the void in the engine room.
New blood in the front row and back three.
The front row sees two exciting inclusions in Afolabi Fasogbon and Asher Opoku-Fordjour. Fasogbon brings brute power and a ferocious presence at the scrum, while Opoku-Fordjour, capable on both sides of the scrum, has already led out the England A side. Both players are deeply committed to the core skills of front-row play, and Fasogbon’s stock rose further after winning a scrum penalty off established international Ellis Genge during a Premiership match.
Out wide, Tobias Elliott of Saracens is rewarded for a superb season in which he crossed the whitewash seven times in just 15 appearances. The 21-year-old winger possesses blistering pace and a sharp eye for space. But the competition for places remains fierce: Tom Roebuck, Freddie Steward and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso — now back from a shoulder injury are all vying for the coveted shirts on the wing or at full-back.
Second chances and a point to prove :
For Cadan Murley, this tour is a shot at redemption. After a difficult debut against Ireland in February despite scoring England’s opening try, he was sidelined with injury. A recent hat-trick against Gloucester during the “Big Summer Kick-Off” has reminded the selectors of his quality, and he’ll be eager to make a more lasting impression this time around.
Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson has also emerged as one of the more intriguing selections. Often overlooked in his youth due to injuries, the centre has delivered a consistent season built on strong distribution and smart positioning. He is joined by namesake Charlie Atkinson at fly-half, while Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, the hulking centre from Sale, offers a direct and physical option in midfield.
Despite the influx of new faces, Borthwick has retained a core group of experienced leaders to provide stability: Jamie George, George Ford and Henry Slade will serve as senior figures, guiding the younger generation. Meanwhile, Ben Curry, one of England’s few specialist opensides could take on a leadership role, possibly even wearing the captain’s armband.
