Borthwick sets sight on All Blacks
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Steve Borthwick has named a 19-player training squad to begin preparations for the forthcoming Test Series against Japan and New Zealand.
The squad – which does not include players involved in the Premiership play-offs – will assemble at the England Rugby Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park on Monday, May 27 for a four-day training camp.
Borthwick named seven uncapped players in the squad, including Harlequins prop Fin Baxter, Exeter Chiefs duo Greg Fisilau and Rusi Tuima, and Newcastle Falcons flank Guy Pepper.
Veteran props Dan Cole and Joe Marler were omitted despite their respective seasons for Leicester and Harlequins having ended on May 18, but both are fit and will be named in the squad for the second week of preparation beginning on Tuesday, June 4.
“That’s outrageous!” 🤯
We’re excited to see @EllisGenge doing this again in an England shirt on his return from injury 🙌
🎥: @premrugby pic.twitter.com/sDwVtLYyWD
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 26, 2024
England’s Test Series begins on Saturday, June 22 with a Test match against Japan in Tokyo before embarking on a two-Test tour of New Zealand to take on the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday, July 6 and in Auckland on Saturday, July 13.
England 19-man training squad:
Forwards:
Fin Baxter, Chandler Cunningham-South, Alex Dombrandt, Greg Fisilau, Joe Heyes, George Martin, Gabriel Oghre, Guy Pepper, Ethan Roots, Rusi Tuima.
Backs:
Charlie Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Max Malins, Luke Northmore, Harry Randall, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet.
