England rugby union has called 34 players to its first three-day training camp of the summer, signalling a squad refresh that bridges youth and experience as the nation prepares for a demanding schedule ahead. The squad announcement, made by head coach Steve Borthwick, brings together emerging talent alongside seasoned internationals at Pennyhill Park, England's training headquarters, in what marks the opening phase of preparation for the Nations Championship and a warm-up fixture against a France XV in Vannes on 19 June.
Among the most intriguing selections is Benhard Janse van Rensburg, a former South Africa U20 centre now playing for Bristol in England's Premiership. His inclusion signals Borthwick's confidence in developing depth at centre and represents a strategic acquisition from the Southern Hemisphere pipeline. Janse van Rensburg joins a backline that reflects England's commitment to balancing youth with proven Test experience.
The forward pack shows particular ambition around youth development. Kepu Tuipulotu, a 20-year-old hooker from Bath, makes his official senior squad debut—a milestone made more significant by his family's international pedigree: his sister Sisilia represents Wales, while his father Sione played for Tonga. Hooker Jamie Blamire, promoted from Leicester, steps into greater prominence as Sale's Luke Cowan-Dickie undergoes rehabilitation, creating space for the younger Tuipulotu to prove himself at the highest level.
Among the scrum-halves, Northampton's Archie McParland and Saracens' Charlie Bracken, both in their early twenties at 21 and 22 respectively, join the camp, broadening options in a position where consistency has sometimes been elusive. In the wing department, Saracens' Noah Caluori, described as a teenage sensation, leads the Premiership's try-scoring charts with 18 tries—a remarkable tally that demanded his selection. He joins established options like Tommy Freeman, Tom Roebuck, and Cadan Murley, along with the fit-again Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Perhaps most significantly, George Martin, Leicester's 24-year-old lock, is included despite being only four matches into his return from nearly 15 months on the sidelines. Martin's physicality earned him particular notoriety for unsettling the Springboks during England's World Cup semi-final defeat in 2023—a performance that has left Borthwick highly valuing his presence in the squad. His early recall speaks to the coach's confidence in his recovery and his value to England's forward strategy.
Adam Radwan, the Leicester wing who last represented England in November 2021, also makes the cut, offering experience to balance the youth contingent. The squad omits several established players, including Ben Curry of Sale and Sam Underhill of Bath, suggesting rotation and reassessment as Borthwick continues to build toward the Nations Championship.
The camp at Pennyhill Park is the first of several three-day gatherings planned for the summer, with the Nations Championship squad to be named following the Premiership final on 20 June. This structure allows Borthwick to assess form across multiple sessions, with the France XV match in Vannes serving as a genuine test before competitive international rugby resumes.