England captain Maro Itoje will miss the Test against South Africa on 4 July after being rested from this summer’s Nations Championship fixtures.
The 31-year-old has been stood down after exceeding World Rugby’s recommendation of a maximum 30 matches per season in each of his past two campaigns.
Itoje, who also leads Saracens and captained the British and Irish Lions to a series win over Australia last summer, has carried a heavy workload in recent seasons. He also recently spoke at his mother Florence’s funeral in Nigeria after her death in December, and was given a delayed return to England camp ahead of the Six Nations.
Hooker Jamie George, Itoje’s Saracens teammate and former England captain, will lead the side this summer. He is part of a squad that includes five uncapped players.
Among the new call-ups is Saracens teenager Noah Caluori, who earns selection ahead of Adam Radwan, Tom Roebuck and Henry Arundell. The 19-year-old, known for his strong aerial ability, finished joint top of the Premiership try-scoring charts with 18 tries this season.
Also included is Benhard Janse van Rensburg, the South African-born Bristol centre who will become eligible for England through residency in time for Tests against Fiji and Argentina on 11 and 18 July.
Bath’s Max Ojomoh, Exeter’s Henry Slade and Gloucester’s Seb Atkinson provide further midfield options, while Ollie Lawrence and Northampton pair Fraser Dingwall and Tom Litchfield miss out.
